| Contaminant |
MCL |
Health Effects |
2,3,7,8-TCDD
(Dioxin) |
3 X 10E-8 mg/L |
This organic chemical is an impurity in the
production of some pesticides. It may get into
drinking water by industrial discharge of wastes. This
chemical has been shown to cause cancer in laboratory
animals such as rats and mice when the animals are
exposed at high levels over their lifetimes. Chemicals
that cause cancer in laboratory animals also may
increase the risk of cancer in humans who are exposed
over long periods of time. EPA has set the drinking
water standard for dioxin at 0.00000003 parts per
million (ppm) to reduce the risk of cancer or other
adverse health effects which have been observed in
laboratory animals. Drinking water which meets this
standard is associated with little to none of this
risk and should be considered safe with respect to
dioxin. |
| 2,4-D |
0.07 mg/L |
This organic chemical is used as a herbicide and
to control algae in reservoirs. When soil and climatic
conditions are favorable, 2,4-D may get into drinking
water by run-off into surface water or by leaching
into ground water. This chemical has been shown to
damage the liver and kidneys of laboratory animals
such as rats exposed at high levels during their
lifetimes. Some humans who were exposed to relatively
large amounts of this chemical also suffered damage to
the nervous system. EPA has set the drinking water
standard for 2,4-D at 0.07 part per million (ppm) to
protect against the risk of these adverse health
effects. Drinking water that meets the EPA standard is
associated with little to none of this risk and is
considered safe with respect to 2,4-D. |
| 2,4,5-TP |
0.05 mg/L |
This
organic chemical is used as a herbicide. When soil
and climatic conditions are favorable, 2,4,5-TP may
get into drinking water by run-off into surface water
or by leaching into ground water. This chemical has
been shown to damage the liver and kidneys of
laboratory animals such as rats and dogs exposed to
high levels during their lifetimes. Some industrial
workers who were exposed to relatively large amounts
of this chemical during working careers also suffered
damage to the nervous system. EPA has set the
drinking water standard for 2,4,5-TP at 0.05 part per
million (ppm) to protect against the risk of these
adverse health effects. Drinking water that meets the
EPA standard is associated with little to none of
this risk and is considered safe with respect to
2,4,5-TP. |
| Alachlor |
0.002 mg/L |
This organic chemical is a widely used pesticide.
When soil and climatic conditions are favorable,
alachlor may get into drinking water by run-off into
surface water or by leaching into ground water. This
chemical has been shown to cause cancer in laboratory
animals such as rats and mice when the animals are
exposed at high levels over their lifetimes. Chemicals
that cause cancer in laboratory animals also may
increase the risk of cancer in humans who are exposed
over long periods of time. EPA has set the drinking
water standard for alachlor at 0.002 part per million
(ppm) to reduce the risk of cancer or other adverse
health effects which have been observed in laboratory
animals. Drinking water that meets this standard is
associated with little to none of this risk and is
considered safe with respect to alachlor. |
| Atrazine |
0.003 mg/L |
This organic chemical is a herbicide. When soil
and climatic conditions are favorable, atrazine may
get into drinking water by run-off into surface water
or by leaching into ground water. This chemical has
been shown to affect offspring of rats and the heart
of dogs. EPA has set the drinking water standard for
atrazine at 0.003 part per million (ppm) to protect
against the risk of these adverse health effects.
Drinking water that meets the EPA standard is
associated with little to none of this risk and is
considered safe with respect to atrazine. |
| Benzo(a)pyrene |
0.0002 mg/L |
Cigarette smoke and charbroiled meats are common
sources of general exposure. The major source of
benzo(a)pyrene in drinking water is the leaching from
coal tar lining and sealants in water storage tanks.
This chemical has been shown to cause cancer in
animals such as rats and mice when the animals are
exposed at high levels. EPA has set the drinking water
standard for benzo(a)pyrene at 0.0002 part per million
(ppm) to protect against the risk of cancer. Drinking
water which meets the EPA standard is associated with
little to none of this risk and should be considered
safe with respect to benzo(a)pyrene. |
| Carbofuran |
0.04 mg/L |
This organic chemical is a pesticide. When soil
and climatic conditions are favorable, carbofuran may
get into drinking water by run-off into surface water
or by leaching into ground water. This chemical has
been shown to damage the nervous and reproductive
systems of laboratory animals such as rats and mice
exposed at high levels over their lifetimes. Some
humans who were exposed to relatively large amounts of
this chemical during their working careers also
suffered damage to the nervous system. Effects on the
nervous system are generally rapidly reversible. EPA
has set the drinking water standard for carbofuran at
0.04 part per million (ppm) to protect against the
risk of these adverse health effects. Drinking water
that meets the EPA standard is associated with little
to none of this risk [pg. 3591] and is considered safe
with respect to carbofuran. |
| Chlordane |
0.002 mg/L |
This organic chemical is a pesticide used to
control termites. Chlordane is not very mobile in
soils. It usually gets into drinking water after
application near water supply intakes or wells. This
chemical has been shown to cause cancer in laboratory
animals such as rats and mice when the animals are
exposed at high levels over their lifetimes. Chemicals
that cause cancer in laboratory animals also may
increase the risk of cancer in humans who are exposed
over long periods of time. EPA has set the drinking
water standard for chlordane at 0.002 part per million
(ppm) to reduce the risk of cancer or other adverse
health effects which have been observed in laboratory
animals. Drinking water that meets the EPA standard is
associated with little to none of this risk and is
considered safe with respect to chlordane. |
| Dalapon |
0.2 mg/L |
This organic chemical is a widely used herbicide.
It may get into drinking water after application to
control grasses in crops, drainage ditches and along
railroads. This chemical has been shown to cause
damage to the kidneys and liver in laboratory animals
when the animals are exposed to high levels over their
lifetimes. EPA has set the drinking water standard for
dalapon at 0.2 part per million (ppm) to protect
against the risk of these adverse health effects.
Drinking water which meets the EPA standard is
associated with little to none of this risk and should
be considered safe with respect to dalapon. |
| Di(2-ethylhexyl)
adipate |
0.4 mg/L |
Di(2-ethylhexyl)adipate is a widely used
plasticizer in a variety of products, including
synthetic rubber, food packaging materials and
cosmetics. It may get into drinking water after
improper waste disposal. This chemical has been shown
to damage liver and testes in laboratory animals such
as rats and mice exposed to high levels. EPA has set
the drinking water standard for
di(2-ethylhexyl)adipate at 0.4 part per million (ppm)
to protect against the risk of adverse health effects.
Drinking water which meets the EPA standard is
associated with little to none of this risk and should
be considered safe with respect to
di(2-ethyl-hexyl)adipate. |
| Di(2-ethylhexyl)
phthalate |
0.006 mg/L |
Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate is a widely used
plasticizer, which is primarily used in the production
of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resins. It may get into
drinking water after improper waste disposal. This
chemical has been shown to cause cancer in laboratory
animals such as rats and mice exposed to high levels
over their lifetimes. EPA has set the drinking water
standard for di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate at 0.006 part
per million (ppm) to reduce the risk of cancer or
other adverse health effects which have been observed
in laboratory animals. Drinking water which meets the
EPA standard is associated with little to none of this
risk and should be considered safe with respect to
di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate. |
| Dibromochloropropane (DBCP) |
0.0002 mg/L |
This organic chemical was once a popular
pesticide. When soil and climatic conditions are
favorable, dibromochloropropane may get into drinking
water by run-off into surface water or by leaching
into ground water. This chemical has been shown to
cause cancer in laboratory animals such as rats and
mice when the animals are exposed at high levels over
their lifetimes. Chemicals that cause cancer in
laboratory animals also may increase the risk of
cancer in humans who are exposed over long periods of
time. EPA has set the drinking water standard for DBCP
at 0.0002 part per million (ppm) to reduce the risk of
cancer or other adverse health effects which have been
observed in laboratory animals. Drinking water that
meets the EPA standard is associated with little to
none of this risk and is considered safe with respect
to DBCP. |
| Dinoseb |
0.007mg/L |
Dinoseb is a widely used pesticide and generally
gets into drinking water after application on
orchards, vineyards and other crops. This chemical has
been shown to damage the thyroid and reproductive
organs in laboratory animals such as rats exposed to
high levels. EPA has set the drinking water standard
for dinoseb at 0.007 part per million (ppm) to protect
against the risk of adverse health effects. Drinking
water which meets the EPA standard is associated with
little to none of this risk and should be considered
safe with respect to dinoseb. |
| Diquat |
0.02mg/L |
This organic chemical is a herbicide used to
control terrestrial and aquatic weeds. It may get into
drinking water by run-off into surface water. This
chemical has been shown to damage the liver, kidneys
and gastrointestinal tract and causes cataract
formation in laboratory animals such as dogs and rats
exposed at high levels over their lifetimes. EPA has
set the drinking water standard for diquat at 0.02
part per million (ppm) to protect against the risk of
these adverse health effects. Drinking water which
meets the EPA standard is associated with little to
none of this risk and should be considered safe with
respect to diquat. |
| Endothall |
0.1 mg/L |
This organic chemical is a herbicide used to
control terrestrial and aquatic weeds. It may get into
water by run-off into surface water. This chemical has
been shown to damage the liver, kidneys,
gastrointestinal tract and reproductive system of
laboratory animals such as rats and mice exposed at
high levels over their lifetimes. EPA has set the
drinking water standard for endothall at 0.1 part per
million (ppm) to protect against the risk of these
adverse health effects. Drinking water which meets the
EPA standard is associated with little to none of this
risk and should be considered safe with respect to
endothall. |
| Endrin |
0.002 mg/L |
This organic chemical is a pesticide no longer
registered for use in the United States. However, this
chemical is persistent in treated soils and
accumulates in sediments and aquatic and terrestrial
biota. This chemical has been shown to cause damage to
the liver, kidneys and heart in laboratory animals
such as rats and mice when the animals are exposed at
high levels over their lifetimes. EPA has set the
drinking water standard for endrin at 0.002 part per
million (ppm) to protect against the risk of these
adverse health effects which have been observed in
laboratory animals. Drinking water that meets the EPA
standard is associated with little to none of this
risk and should be considered safe with respect to
endrin. |
| Ethylene dibromide
(EDB) |
0.00002 mg/L |
This organic chemical was once a popular
pesticide. When soil and climatic conditions are
favorable, EDB may get into drinking water by run-off
into surface water or by leaching into ground water.
This chemical has been shown to cause cancer in
laboratory animals such as rats and mice when the
animals are exposed at high levels over their
lifetimes. Chemicals that cause cancer in laboratory
animals also may increase the risk of cancer in humans
who are exposed over long periods of time. DEP has set
the drinking water standard for EDB at 0.00002 part
per million (ppm) to reduce the risk of cancer or
other adverse health effects which have been observed
in laboratory animals. Drinking water that meets this
standard is associated with little to none of this
risk and is considered safe with respect to EDB. |
| Glyphosate |
0.7 mg/L |
This organic chemical is a herbicide used to
control grasses and weeds. It may get into drinking
water by run-off into surface water. This chemical has
been shown to cause damage to the liver and kidneys in
laboratory animals such as rats and mice when the
animals are exposed at high levels over their
lifetimes. EPA has set the drinking water standard for
glyphosate at 0.7 part per million (ppm) to protect
against the risk of these adverse health effects.
Drinking water which meets the EPA standard is
associated with little to none of this risk and should
be considered safe with respect to glyphosate. |
| Heptachlor |
0.0004 mg/L |
This organic chemical was once a popular
pesticide. When soil and climatic conditions are
favorable, heptachlor may get into drinking water by
run-off into surface water or by leaching into ground
water. This chemical has been shown to cause cancer in
laboratory animals such as rats and mice when the
animals are exposed at high levels over their
lifetimes. Chemicals that cause cancer in laboratory
animals also may increase the risk of cancer in humans
who are exposed over long periods of time. EPA has set
the drinking water standards for heptachlor at 0.0004
part per million (ppm) to reduce the risk of cancer or
other adverse health effects which have been observed
in laboratory animals. Drinking water that meets this
standard is associated with little to none of this
risk and is considered safe with respect to
heptachlor. |
| Heptachlor epoxide |
0.0002 mg/L |
This organic chemical was once a popular
pesticide. When soil and climatic conditions are
favorable, heptachlor epoxide may get into drinking
water by run-off into surface water or by leaching
into ground water. This chemical has been shown to
cause cancer in laboratory animals such as rats and
mice when the animals are exposed at high levels over
their lifetimes. Chemicals that cause cancer in
laboratory animals also may increase the risk of
cancer in humans who are exposed over long periods of
time. EPA has set the drinking water standards for
heptachlor epoxide at 0.0002 part per million (ppm) to
reduce the risk of cancer or other adverse health
effects which have been observed in laboratory
animals. Drinking water that meets this standard is
associated with little to none of this risk and is
considered safe with respect to heptachlor epoxide. |
| Hexachlorobenzene |
0.001 mg/L |
This organic chemical is produced as an impurity
in the manufacture of certain solvents and pesticides.
This chemical has been shown to cause cancer in
laboratory animals such as rats and mice when the
animals are exposed to high levels during their
lifetimes. Chemicals that cause cancer in laboratory
animals also may increase the risk of cancer in humans
who are exposed over long periods of time. EPA has set
the drinking water standard for hexachlorobenzene at
0.001 part per million (ppm) to protect against the
risk of cancer and other adverse health effects.
Drinking water which meets the EPA standard is
associated with little to none of this risk and should
be considered safe with respect to hexachlorobenzene. |
| Hexachlorocyclopentadiene |
0.05 mg/L |
This organic chemical is used as an intermediate
in the manufacture of pesticides and flame retardants.
It may get into water by discharge from production
facilities. This chemical has been shown to damage the
kidneys and the stomach of laboratory animals when
exposed at high levels over their lifetimes. EPA has
set the drinking water standard for
hexachlorocyclopentadiene at 0.05 part per million (ppm)
to protect against the risk of these adverse health
effects. Drinking water which meets the EPA standard
is associated with little to none of this risk and
should be considered safe with respect to
hexachlorocyclopentadiene. |
| Lindane |
0.0002 mg/L |
This organic chemical is used as a pesticide. When
soil and climatic conditions are favorable, lindane
may get into drinking water by run-off into surface
water or by leaching into ground water. This chemical
has been shown to damage the liver, kidneys, nervous
system, and immune system of laboratory animals such
as rats, mice and dogs exposed at high levels during
their lifetimes. Some humans who were exposed to
relatively large amounts of this chemical also
suffered damage to the nervous system and circulatory
system. EPA has established the drinking water
standard for lindane at 0.0002 part per million (ppm)
to protect against the risk of these adverse health
effects. Drinking water that meets the EPA standard is
associated with little to none of this risk and is
considered safe with respect to lindane. |
| Methoxychlor |
0.04 mg/L |
This organic chemical is used as a pesticide. When
soil and climatic conditions are favorable,
methoxychlor may get into drinking water by run-off
into surface water or by leaching into ground water.
This chemical has been shown to damage the liver,
kidneys, nervous system, and reproductive system of
laboratory animals such as rats exposed at high levels
during their lifetimes. It has also been shown to
produce growth retardation in rats. EPA has set the
drinking water standard for methoxychlor at 0.04 part
per million (ppm) to protect against the risk of these
adverse health effects. Drinking water that meets the
EPA standard is associated with little to none of this
risk and is considered safe with respect to
methoxychlor. |
| Oxamyl |
0.2 mg/L |
This organic chemical is used as a pesticide for
the control of insects and other pests. It may get
into drinking water by run-off into surface water or
leaching into ground water. This chemical has been
shown to damage the kidneys of laboratory animals such
as rats when exposed at high levels over their
lifetimes. EPA has set the drinking water standard for
oxamyl at 0.2 part per million (ppm) to protect
against the risk of these adverse health effects.
Drinking water which meets the EPA standard is
associated with little to none of this risk and should
be considered safe with respect to oxamyl. |
| Pentachlorophenol |
0.001 mg/L |
This organic chemical is used as a wood
preservative, herbicide, disinfectant, and defoliant.
It generally gets into drinking water by runoff into
surface water or leaching into ground water. This
chemical has been shown to produce adverse
reproductive effects and to damage the liver and
kidneys of laboratory animals such as rats exposed to
high levels during their lifetimes. Some humans who
were exposed to relatively large amounts of this
chemical also suffered damage to the liver and
kidneys. This chemical has been shown to cause cancer
in laboratory animals such as rats and mice when the
animals are exposed to high levels over their
lifetimes. Chemicals that cause cancer in laboratory
animals also may increase the risk of cancer in humans
who are exposed over long periods of time. EPA has set
the drinking water standard for pentachlorophenol at
0.001 part per million (ppm) to protect against the
risk of these adverse health effects. Drinking water
that meets the EPA standard is associated with little
to none of this risk and is considered safe with
respect to pentachlorophenol. |
| Picloram |
0.5 mg/L |
This organic chemical is used as a herbicide for
broadleaf weed control. It may get into drinking water
by run-off into surface water as a result of herbicide
application and improper waste disposal. This chemical
has been shown to cause damage to the kidneys and
liver in laboratory animals such as rats when the
animals are exposed at high levels over their
lifetimes. EPA has set the drinking water standard for
picloram at 0.5 part per million (ppm) to protect
against the risk of these adverse health effects.
Drinking water which meets the EPA standard is
associated with little to none of this risk and should
be considered safe with respect to picloram. |
Polychlorinated biphenyls
(PCBs) |
0.0005 mg/L |
These organic chemicals were once widely used in
electrical transformers and other industrial
equipment. They generally get into drinking water by
improper waste disposal or leaking electrical
industrial equipment. This chemical has been shown to
cause cancer in laboratory animals such as rats and
mice when the animals are exposed at high levels over
their lifetimes. Chemicals that cause cancer in
laboratory animals also may increase the risk of
cancer in humans who are exposed over long periods of
time. EPA has set the drinking water standard for PCBs
at 0.0005 part per million (ppm) to reduce the risk of
cancer or other adverse health effects which have been
observed in laboratory animals. Drinking water that
meets this standard is associated with little to none
of this risk and is considered safe with respect to
PCBs. |
| Simazine |
0.004 mg/L |
This organic chemical is a herbicide used to
control annual grasses and broadleaf weeds. It may
leach into ground water or run-off into surface water
after application. This chemical may cause cancer in
laboratory animals such as rats and mice exposed at
high levels during their lifetimes. Chemicals that
cause cancer in laboratory animals also may increase
the risk of cancer in humans who are exposed over long
periods of time. EPA has set the drinking water
standard for simazine at 0.004 part per million (ppm)
to reduce the risk of cancer or other adverse health
effects. Drinking water which meets the EPA standard
is associated with little to none of this risk and
should be considered safe with respect to simazine. |
| Toxaphene |
0.003 mg/L |
This organic chemical was once a pesticide widely
used on cotton, corn, soybeans, pineapples and other
crops. When soil and climatic conditions are
favorable, toxaphene may get into drinking water by
run-off into surface water or by leaching into ground
water. This chemical has been shown to cause cancer in
laboratory animals such as rats and mice when the
animals are exposed at high levels over their
lifetimes. Chemicals that cause cancer in laboratory
animals also may increase the risk of cancer in humans
who are exposed over long periods of time. EPA has set
the drinking water standard for toxaphene at 0.003
part per million (ppm) to reduce the risk of cancer or
other adverse health effects which have been observed
in laboratory animals. Drinking water that meets this
standard is associated with little to none of this
risk and is considered safe with respect to toxaphene. |
2012 State of Florida