Health advisory level (HAL)s are developed when a chemical is found in drinking water and no regulatory standard exists for the chemical. The HAL concentration of a chemical in drinking water is a value that, based on the available data, is virtually certain not to cause adverse human health effects if consumed over a lifetime. HALs provide guidance for the public and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on the potential for these chemicals to cause harm to humans.
The maximum contaminant level (MCL) is a standard established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, under the Safe Drinking Water Act. It represents an acceptable level of a chemical under specified conditions that ensures the safety of a public drinking water supply. MCLs are used by DEP to regulate the level of chemicals allowed in drinking water.
Acronyms used: HAL = Health Advisory Level
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level
Chemical Fact Sheets
1,1-DCE
Synthetic liquid also called 1,1-dichloroethene, used to make solvents/degreasers, adhesives, synthetic fibers, refrigerants, food packaging, and coating resins.
1,2 Dichloropropane
Some uses are as a solvent or pesticide, making tetrachloroethylene and several other related chlorinated chemicals.
1,4-Dioxane
Synthetic industrial chemical used as a stabilizer in many solvents and cleaners. It is used in the manufacture of some dyes, adhesives, and lubricants. It has also been found as an impurity in some consumer products, such as antifreeze, shampoos, laundry detergents and cosmetics.
Arsenic
Naturally occurring metal, found in rocks and soil, water, and air.
Benzene
Highly flammable liquid, occurs in nature and also forms through human activities to make other chemicals, as well as plastics, resins, and
nylon and synthetic fibers, rubbers, lubricants, dyes, detergents, and pesticides.
Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate
Used in plastic manufacturing to make products flexible.
Dibromochloropropane
Dibromo-3-chloropropane (also known as 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane, or DBCP) used in fire retardants and pests management for agriculture.
Dieldrin
Synthetic chemical used to kill insects.
Ethylene dibromide (EDB)
Synthetic chemical previously used as a pesticide gasoline additive, currently used in the treatment of logs for termites and beetles, control of moths in beehives, and a preparation for dyes and waxes.
Iron
Naturally occurring metal.
Lead
Naturally occurring metal found, used in mining and manufacturing.
Manganese
Naturally occurring metal found in many types of rocks.
Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE)
Synthetic liquid added to unleaded gasoline has helped make it burn more efficiently.
Nitrate
Chemicals found in nature, caused from bacteria in the soil changing nitrogen (from plants, fertilizers, animal or human waste) into nitrates.
PFOS and PFOA
Synthetic chemicals commonly referred to as “forever chemicals,” formerly used in consumer products, such as non-stick cookware, stain resistant carpets and fabrics, waterproof mattresses and clothing, grease-resistant food packaging, and firefighting foam.
Sodium
Naturally occurring metal, considered an essential nutrient.
Tetrachloroethene
Synthetic liquid used by dry cleaners, metal degreasers, or other chemicals and consumer products.
Thallium
Thallium is a naturally occurring trace metal used in superconductors, low-melting glass, photoelectric cells, and radiation detection equipment.
Toluene
Naturally occurring liquid used to make paints, paint thinners, fingernail polish, lacquers, adhesives, and rubber.
Trichloroethene (TCE)
Synthetic liquid used to remove grease from metal parts, and some types of paint and spot removers.
Total Trihalomethanes (THMs)
Group of chemicals that can form when organic matter in water is treated with halogen disinfectants such as chlorine.
Radionuclides
Radioactive forms of chemicals.
Vinyl Chloride
Synthetic gas used to make polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
Xylenes
Group of three closely related chemicals that occur naturally in petroleum and coal tar (forming during forest fires), used as cleaning agents and thinner for paint.