Benzo[a]anthracene
Status: No national drinking water standard exists
Benzo[a]anthracene 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:
3
states detected
6
utilities detected
67,573
people served
States reporting benzo[a]anthracene in drinking water
| UTILITIES WITH CONTAMINATION | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| State | Utilities | People Served | |
| Rhode Island | 4 | 67,053 | |
| Arkansas | 1 | 280 | |
| Texas | 1 | 240 | |
Filtering technologies that reduce benzo[a]anthracene
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Utilities with the highest amounts of benzo[a]anthracene, 2017-2019
| Utility | Location | Tests | Average level | People served |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pine Grove Estates Water System | Cypress, TX | 1 of 2 | 0.0850 ppb | 240 |
| Hickory Ridge | Hickory Ridge, AR | 1 of 3 | 0.0533 ppb | 280 |
| Harris County MUD 53 | Houston, TX | 1 of 27 | 0.0274 ppb | 16,164 |
| Naval Station, Newport | Newport, RI | 4 of 116 | 0.00517 ppb | 7,871 |
| City of Newport* | Newport, RI | 4 of 116 | 0.00517 ppb | 42,000 |
| Portsmouth Water & Fire District | Portsmouth, RI | 4 of 116 | 0.00517 ppb | 16,864 |
| United States Navy -fort Adams | Newport, RI | 4 of 116 | 0.00517 ppb | 318 |
* 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]anthracene, but it likely has the contaminant in its water supply.
| Utility | Location | Tests | Average level | People served |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harris County MUD 53 | Houston, TX | 1 of 27 | 0.0274 ppb | 16,164 |
| City of Newport* | Newport, RI | 4 of 116 | 0.00517 ppb | 42,000 |
| Portsmouth Water & Fire District | Portsmouth, RI | 4 of 116 | 0.00517 ppb | 16,864 |
* 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[a]anthracene, but it likely has the contaminant in its water supply.