Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

CONTAMINANT

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

FOUND

Exceeding guidelines

STATES DETECTED

7

serves

46,840

utilities detected

22

states detected

2

serves

960

utilities detected

2

Overview

PCBs are synthetic chemicals banned in the U.S. since the 1970s because of their toxicity. PCBs contaminate water by leaching from landfills and hazardous waste clean-up sites. PCBs increase the risk of cancer. learn more about this contaminant

Up until the late 1970s, PCBs were used widely as coolants and lubricants in transformers, capacitors and other electrical equipment. Currently, PCBs are widely detected in the general population. They build up and are stored in fatty tissues and fluids such as breast milk, and can be passed on to fetuses and infants during pregnancy and breast-feeding. In human epidemiological studies, PCBs have been associated with an elevated risk of breast and prostate cancers. Infants and children with higher PCB exposures during development score lower on measures of neurological function, ranging from decreased IQ scores to� reduced hearing sensitivity. PCBs also affect hormones and damage the immune system.

State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water

EWG Health Guideline: 0.09 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.09 ppb for PCBs 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): 0.5 ppb

The legal limit for PCBs, established in 1991, 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 PCB exposure.

ppb = parts per billion

National Standard Exists

Health Concerns:

  • Breast cancer

  • Prostate cancer

  • Harm to the brain and nervous system

  • Hormone disruption

  • Harm to the immune system

Want to remove
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from your water?

Try these filter technologies:

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

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Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) around the Country

UTILITIES REPORTING ABOVE HEALTH GUIDELINES UTILITIES WITH CONTAMINATION
State Utilities People Served Utilities People Served
Kentucky00421,965
Florida001015,161
Massachusetts0016,325
Ohio0031,334
North Carolina001999
Arizona19002996
Delaware160160

Utilities with the highest amounts of PCBs, 2021-2023

ALL UTILITIES
LARGE UTILITIES
Utility Location Tests Average level People served
Carpenters RowHockessin, DE1 of 10.500 ppb60
Rancho Del Conejo Community Water Co-opTucson, AZ2 of 50.308 ppb900
Salyersville Municipal Water*Salyersville, KY1 of 10.130 ppb3,029
Magoffin County Water DistrictSalyersville, KY1 of 10.130 ppb8,925
Villa MargaretOkeechobee, FL1 of 10.1000 ppb132
Dawsons Mobile Home Park Public Water SystemPiketon, OH1 of 10.1000 ppb51
Soundings Yacht & Tennis ClubHobe Sound, FL1 of 10.1000 ppb450
Hillcrest Estates, Inc.Zephyrhills, FL1 of 10.0930 ppb130
Indian River Shores Mobile Home ParkMicco, FL1 of 10.0930 ppb55
Raceland Water SystemRaceland, KY1 of 20.0800 ppb3,201
Russell Water Company*Russell, KY1 of 20.0800 ppb6,810
Sierra Court Trailer ParkTucson, AZ1 of 20.0800 ppb96
Winding Creek EstatesNewark, OH1 of 20.0500 ppb57
Pleasant Hill Village Public Water SystemPleasant Hill, OH1 of 20.0500 ppb1,226
Oak Park Trailer Court LLCTitusville, FL1 of 10.0460 ppb90
Rowley Water DepartmentRowley, MA1 of 40.0375 ppb6,325
Town Of AstatulaAstatula, FL1 of 40.0250 ppb1,937
Marble Community Water SystemMarble, NC1 of 90.0211 ppb999
Sunrise SouthwestFort Lauderdale, FL1 of 40.0113 ppb10,750
Lake Marian ResortKenansville, FL1 of 100.01000 ppb32
Twa Sunbridge Water Treatment Plant*St. Cloud, FL1 of 70.00629 ppb542
Tavistock East (consec.)Orlando, FL1 of 70.00629 ppb1,043

* 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 Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), but it likely has the contaminant in its water supply.

UtilityLocationTestsAverage levelPeople served
Sunrise SouthwestFort Lauderdale, FL1 of 40.0113 ppb10,750

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