p-Dichlorobenzene
Rector Waterworks
p-Dichlorobenzene is a carcinogenic insecticide used in mothballs, and added to deodorant blocks made for trash cans and toilets. Long-term exposure can cause liver damage and kidney problems.
Samples
Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)
Samples exceeding
health guidelines
Testing results - average by year
| Year | Average result | Samples taken | Detections | Range of results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 3.34 ppb | 4 | 4 | 2.23 ppb - 4.20 ppb |
| 2015 | 1.61 ppb | 3 | 2 | ND - 4.10 ppb |
| 2016 | ND | 4 | 0 | ND |
| 2017 | ND | 1 | 0 | ND |
| 2018 | ND | 7 | 0 | ND |
| 2019 | ND | 5 | 0 | ND |
ppb = parts per billion
State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines
EWG Health Guideline 6 ppb
The EWG Health Guideline of 6 ppb for p-dichlorobenzene was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against cancer.
EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) 75 ppb
The legal limit for p-dichlorobenzene, established in 1987, was based on toxicity studies conducted in laboratory animals in the 1980s. This limit may not fully protect against the risk of cancer due to p-dichlorobenzene exposure.
ppb = parts per billion
All test results
| Date | Lab ID | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2014-01-27 | 14030000801 | 3.02 ppb |
| 2014-05-15 | 14136001001 | 2.23 ppb |
| 2014-08-06 | 14219000302 | 3.90 ppb |
| 2014-10-21 | 14296001201 | 4.20 ppb |
| 2015-05-20 | 15141015201 | 4.10 ppb |
| 2015-05-20 | 15141014902 | ND |
| 2015-11-12 | 15317007801 | 0.730 ppb |
| 2016-02-16 | 16049006701 | ND |
| 2016-05-09 | 16133003209 | ND |
| 2016-08-08 | 16224000301 | ND |
| 2016-10-25 | 16300003301 | ND |
| 2017-10-16 | 17291000901 | ND |
| 2018-01-09 | 18012001201 | ND |
| 2018-06-11 | 18164002202 | ND |
| 2018-06-11 | 18164002301 | ND |
| 2018-08-27 | 18242002801 | ND |
| 2018-08-27 | 18242002902 | ND |
| 2018-12-04 | 18339000601 | ND |
| 2018-12-04 | 18339000501 | ND |
| 2019-02-19 | 19052008801 | ND |
| 2019-02-19 | 19052008701 | ND |
| 2019-04-22 | 19114000808 | ND |
| 2019-04-22 | 19114000708 | ND |
| 2019-10-08 | 19283013701 | ND |