Chlorobenzene
C₆H₅Cl·Affects liver, kidneys
A chemical-industry solvent and intermediate used to make pesticides, dyes, and rubber chemicals. Contaminates groundwater through industrial discharge.
C₆H₅Cl
EPA limit
0.1 mg/L (MCL)
Most at risk
Households on private wells near chemical manufacturing or industrial sites
Found in
City water · Well water · Industrial areas
AquaOx filters
YesActivated coconut shell carbon
What it does to you
Health effects
Chlorobenzene primarily targets the liver and kidneys. Chronic exposure in animal studies causes hepatic and renal damage, and the EPA's MCL is set to keep human exposure well below the levels that produce these effects.
The central nervous system is a secondary target at higher exposure. Acute symptoms include drowsiness, headache, and impaired coordination. The compound is also a mild respiratory and eye irritant.
Chlorobenzene is not classified as a human carcinogen by IARC or EPA, though long-term carcinogenicity data remain limited. The 0.1 mg/L MCL is based on non-cancer endpoints with a safety factor below observed-effect levels in animal toxicity studies.
Where it comes from
How it gets into your water
Chlorobenzene enters drinking water primarily through industrial discharge. The compound is produced in large quantities as an intermediate in the manufacture of other chemicals: herbicides, dyes, rubber, adhesives, paints, and pharmaceuticals. Facilities that produce or consume chlorobenzene can release it through process water or accidental spills.
Historical use as a solvent for pesticide formulation and as a heat-transfer fluid has left a legacy of contaminated industrial sites where chlorobenzene continues to leach into groundwater. Improperly disposed industrial waste in landfills is another pathway.
Chemical manufacturing
Pesticide, dye, rubber production
Industrial discharge
Process water and waste streams
Contaminated wells
Near chemical plants or landfills
Solvent operations
Historical and current users
Find out for yourself
Is it in your water?
Public water utilities test for chlorobenzene and report results in the annual Consumer Confidence Report. Most municipal supplies show non-detect or trace levels well below the 0.1 mg/L MCL.
Private well owners near chemical manufacturing plants, pesticide formulators, rubber and adhesive producers, or known contaminated industrial sites should request a VOC panel that includes chlorobenzene. The compound typically appears alongside other chlorinated solvents in contaminated plumes.
The fix
How AquaOx filters it
Activated carbon is the EPA's recommended best-available technology for filtering chlorobenzene from drinking water. The Centaur catalytic carbon and coconut shell activated carbon stages in The AquaOx adsorb chlorobenzene efficiently, with independent testing showing high reductions across the VOC family.
Whole-house filtration also reduces inhalation exposure from showers and baths, which matters for volatile compounds like chlorobenzene.