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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Benzo[k]fluoranthene

Status: No national drinking water standard exists

 

Benzo[k]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.

2017-2019:

FOUND

2

states detected

5

utilities detected

67,293

people served

States reporting benzo[k]fluoranthene in drinking water

UTILITIES WITH CONTAMINATION
State UtilitiesPeople Served
Rhode Island467,053
Texas1240
MORE
LESS

Filtering technologies that reduce benzo[k]fluoranthene

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Utilities with the highest amounts of benzo[k]fluoranthene, 2017-2019

ALL UTILITIES
LARGE UTILITIES
UtilityLocationTestsAverage levelPeople served
Pine Grove Estates Water SystemCypress, TX1 of 20.0700 ppb240
Harris County MUD 53Houston, TX1 of 270.0167 ppb16,164
Naval Station, NewportNewport, RI11 of 1160.0121 ppb7,871
City of Newport*Newport, RI11 of 1160.0121 ppb42,000
Portsmouth Water & Fire DistrictPortsmouth, RI11 of 1160.0121 ppb16,864
United States Navy -fort AdamsNewport, RI11 of 1160.0121 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[k]fluoranthene, but it likely has the contaminant in its water supply.

UtilityLocationTestsAverage levelPeople served
Harris County MUD 53Houston, TX1 of 270.0167 ppb16,164
City of Newport*Newport, RI11 of 1160.0121 ppb42,000
Portsmouth Water & Fire DistrictPortsmouth, RI11 of 1160.0121 ppb16,864

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