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CONTAMINANT

Benzo[a]pyrene

FOUND

Exceeding guidelines

STATES DETECTED

19

serves

1.2 million

utilities detected

110

states detected

10

serves

40,874

utilities detected

20

Overview

Benzo[a]pyrene is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, or PAH, released from combustion of fossil fuels and waste incinerators. PAHs increase the risk of cancer; damage the immune, nervous and reproductive systems; and can harm developing fetuses.

State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water

EWG Health Guideline: 0.007 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.007 ppb for benzo[a]pyrene 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): 0.2 ppb

The legal limit for benzo[a]pyrene, established in 1992, was based on analytical detection limits at the time that the standard was set. This limit may not fully protect against the risk of cancer due to PAH exposure.

ppb = parts per billion

National Standard Exists

Health Concerns:

  • Cancer

  • Harm to the immune system

  • Harm to reproduction and child development

  • Change to the central nervous system

Want to remove
Benzo[a]pyrene from your water?

Try these filter technologies:

Activated Carbon, 

Reverse Osmosis, 

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Benzo[a]pyrene around the Country

UTILITIES REPORTING ABOVE HEALTH GUIDELINES UTILITIES WITH CONTAMINATION
State Utilities People Served Utilities People Served
New York197216235,156
Texas14522200,351
Florida61,65714135,262
Connecticut004126,445
Rhode Island007119,426
Oklahoma002106,939
Illinois160657,009
Louisiana112,768751,002
Massachusetts00246,887
Pennsylvania00933,005
Arizona19,09419,094
Ohio68,86168,861
Kentucky16,79816,798
Arkansas0035,028
North Carolina140954,778
West Virginia0014,300
Indiana121022,452
Minnesota001220
Colorado00145

Utilities with the highest amounts of benzo[a]pyrene, 2021-2023

ALL UTILITIES
LARGE UTILITIES
Utility Location Tests Average level People served
Lowell Village Public Water SystemLowell, OH1 of 10.0900 ppb603
Beverly Village Public Water SystemWaterford, OH1 of 10.0900 ppb1,900
Greenville Water Treatment PlantGreenville, FL1 of 10.0880 ppb800
Hopewell North WDHopewell Jctn, NY1 of 10.0496 ppb972
Otterbein-lebanon Retreat CenterLebanon, OH1 of 10.0400 ppb1,541
Powhatan Point Public Water System*Powhatan Point, OH2 of 50.0320 ppb1,592
York Township Water Authority Public Water SystemPowhatan Point, OH2 of 50.0320 ppb481
St. Tam Parish-faubourg-coquilleCovington, LA1 of 60.0317 ppb12,768
Meridian Mobile Home ParkPoplar Grove, IL1 of 10.0300 ppb60
Willowcreek FarmsFairfield, TX1 of 20.0250 ppb45
Arizona Water Company - Sierra VistaPhoenix, AZ2 of 150.0225 ppb9,094
Oak Park Trailer Court LLCTitusville, FL1 of 10.0200 ppb90
Soundings Yacht & Tennis ClubHobe Sound, FL1 of 10.0200 ppb450
Villa MargaretOkeechobee, FL1 of 10.0200 ppb132
Oakwood Community Association Inc.Decatur, IN2 of 50.0164 ppb210
Indian River Shores Mobile Home ParkMicco, FL1 of 10.0150 ppb55
Hillcrest Estates, Inc.Zephyrhills, FL1 of 10.0150 ppb130
River Oaks S/dDenver, NC1 of 20.0150 ppb409
City Of South Shore Water WorksSouth Shore, KY1 of 20.0150 ppb6,798
Putnam Community Water Association Public Water SystemMarietta, OH1 of 20.0150 ppb2,744
Western Inn Mobile Home ParkDenver, CO1 of 20.0135 ppb45
South Avon Water District, NY1 of 30.0130 ppb58
Avon Town Water DistrictAvon, NY1 of 30.0130 ppb3,000
Avon Village*Avon, NY1 of 30.0130 ppb5,295
Caledonia District 3, NY1 of 30.0130 ppb160
Cypress Trace Manufactured Housing Comm.Hammond, LA1 of 20.0130 ppb140
Dowling VillageWarwick, RI1 of 160.0125 ppb2,720
Slatersville Public SupplyNorth Smithfield, RI1 of 160.0125 ppb3,403
Woonsocket Water Department*Woonsocket, RI1 of 160.0125 ppb45,869
North Adams Water DepartmentNorth Adams, MA1 of 40.0120 ppb13,000
City of DorchesterDorchester, TX1 of 50.01000 ppb1,728
The Trails S/dChapel Hill, NC1 of 70.01000 ppb200
GenevaGeneva, IL1 of 20.01000 ppb21,247
Frankfort*Frankfort, IL1 of 100.01000 ppb20,296
Aqua Illinois-timber RidgeKankakee, IL1 of 100.01000 ppb2,322
Buck Spring Plantation IDenver, NC1 of 50.00820 ppb135
Stewarts Ridge S/dCharlotte, NC1 of 40.00750 ppb125
North East Township WaterNorth East, PA1 of 30.00733 ppb2,684
North East Borough Water Department*North East, PA1 of 30.00733 ppb4,601
Harris Woods DevelopmentMount Vernon, NY1 of 40.00675 ppb440
Elmsford VillageElmsford, NY1 of 30.00667 ppb4,600
Twa Sunbridge Water Treatment Plant*St. Cloud, FL2 of 70.00629 ppb542
Tavistock East (consec.)Orlando, FL2 of 70.00629 ppb1,043
Walker Township Water AssociationMingoville, PA1 of 50.00620 ppb3,250
City Of HamptonHampton, FL1 of 80.00600 ppb477
Hidden Valley Mobile Home CourtLinden, PA1 of 50.00600 ppb60
Corporation Of ShepherdstownShepherdstown, WV1 of 40.00575 ppb4,300
South Ellis County Water SupplyItaly, TX1 of 40.00500 ppb1,647
City of HenriettaHenrietta, TX1 of 40.00500 ppb3,111
Pleasant Ridge Mobile Home ParkChicago, IL1 of 60.00500 ppb284

* This water utility supplies finished drinking water to at least one other water utility. The purchasing utility is not required to test for or report Benzo[a]pyrene, but it likely has the contaminant in its water supply.

UtilityLocationTestsAverage levelPeople served
St. Tam Parish-faubourg-coquilleCovington, LA1 of 60.0317 ppb12,768
Woonsocket Water Department*Woonsocket, RI1 of 160.0125 ppb45,869
North Adams Water DepartmentNorth Adams, MA1 of 40.0120 ppb13,000
GenevaGeneva, IL1 of 20.01000 ppb21,247
Frankfort*Frankfort, IL1 of 100.01000 ppb20,296
Sunrise SouthwestFort Lauderdale, FL1 of 40.00475 ppb10,750
Clearwater Water SystemClearwater, FL1 of 110.00373 ppb115,000
MinookaMinooka, IL1 of 60.00333 ppb12,800
Highridge Water AuthorityBlairsville, PA1 of 80.00288 ppb16,000
Portsmouth Water & Fire DistrictPortsmouth, RI1 of 710.00282 ppb17,090
City of Newport*Newport, RI1 of 710.00282 ppb42,155
Rockville CentreRockville Centre, NY1 of 240.00258 ppb24,700
Johnstown Water Works*Johnstown, NY1 of 80.00250 ppb10,851
Abington/rockland Joint Water WorksRockland, MA1 of 100.00210 ppb33,887
University of Connecticut - Main Campus*Mansfield, CT1 of 170.00177 ppb27,199
Connecticut Water Company - Northern Region-Western System*East Windsor, CT1 of 170.00177 ppb98,690
City of Jacksonville*Jacksonville, TX1 of 120.00167 ppb14,544
City of Abilene*Abilene, TX1 of 120.00167 ppb125,182
Beauregard Water Works District #3Longville, LA1 of 210.00143 ppb23,100
Water Authority of Western NassauNew Hyde Park, NY1 of 190.00111 ppb120,000
Massapequa WDMassapequa, NY1 of 270.000963 ppb43,000
Norman*Norman, OK1 of 1290.000217 ppb100,939

* This water utility supplies finished drinking water to at least one other water utility. The purchasing utility is not required to test for or report Benzo[a]pyrene, but it likely has the contaminant in its water supply.

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