Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.
EWG Home Skin Deep Database Healthy Living App EWG Verified Open menu

EWG’s Tap
Water Database
Water Contamination Water Filter Guide Consumer Resources News & Insights
TAKE ACTION

CONTAMINANT

Benzo[b]fluoranthene

STATES DETECTED

1

serves

119,000

utilities detected

7

Overview

Benzo[b]fluoranthene 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.

Want to remove
Benzo[b]fluoranthene from your water?

Try these filter technologies:

Activated Carbon, 

Reverse Osmosis, 

understand filter technology

Benzo[b]fluoranthene around the Country

UTILITIES WITH CONTAMINATION
State Utilities People Served
Rhode Island7119,426

Utilities with the highest amounts of benzo[b]fluoranthene, 2021-2023

ALL UTILITIES
LARGE UTILITIES
Utility Location Tests Average level People served
Woonsocket Water Department*Woonsocket, RI2 of 160.0125 ppb45,869
Slatersville Public SupplyNorth Smithfield, RI2 of 160.0125 ppb3,403
Dowling VillageWarwick, RI2 of 160.0125 ppb2,720
Naval Station, NewportNewport, RI2 of 710.00423 ppb7,871
City of Newport*Newport, RI2 of 710.00423 ppb42,155
Portsmouth Water & Fire DistrictPortsmouth, RI2 of 710.00423 ppb17,090
United States Navy -fort AdamsNewport, RI2 of 710.00423 ppb318

* 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[b]fluoranthene, but it likely has the contaminant in its water supply.

UtilityLocationTestsAverage levelPeople served
Woonsocket Water Department*Woonsocket, RI2 of 160.0125 ppb45,869
City of Newport*Newport, RI2 of 710.00423 ppb42,155
Portsmouth Water & Fire DistrictPortsmouth, RI2 of 710.00423 ppb17,090

* 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[b]fluoranthene, but it likely has the contaminant in its water supply.

Know the Standards

Understand EWG’s guidelines on contaminants in your water.

view ewg’s standards

Take Action

Interested in supporting other causes? Learn more about our ongoing campaigns and how you can make a difference.

LEARN MORE

Need help finding a filter?

Discover top-rated filters that protect your family from harmful contaminants.

GET THE GUIDE

We’re in this together

Donate today and join the fight to protect our environmental health.

DONATE TODAY

Protect your water

Sign our petition to protect PFAS drinking water standards

TAKE ACTION