2,4,5-TP (Silvex)
Status: National drinking water standard exists
2(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy) propionic acid (2,4,5-TP or Silvex) is a cancer-causing herbicide banned in the U.S. in 1985 because of its toxicity. It is still detected as a groundwater contaminant in areas where it was sprayed or stored.
2017-2019:
8
states detected
31
utilities detected
994,000
people served
0
states over health guideline
0
utilities over health guideline
0
people served over health guideline
0
states over legal limit
0
utilities over legal limit
0
people served over legal limit
Health concerns for 2,4,5-TP
Cancer
Harm to the liver
State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines
EWG Health Guideline 3 ppb
The EWG Health Guideline of 3 ppb for 2,4,5-TP was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against harm to internal organs.
EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) 50 ppb
ppb = parts per billion
States reporting 2,4,5-TP in drinking water
| UTILITIES WITH CONTAMINATION | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| State | Utilities | People Served | |
| Nebraska | 8 | 560,055 | |
| Florida | 15 | 381,576 | |
| Georgia | 3 | 31,715 | |
| Nevada | 1 | 8,800 | |
| Alabama | 1 | 5,802 | |
| Iowa | 1 | 3,785 | |
| West Virginia | 1 | 1,550 | |
| Illinois | 1 | 816 | |
Filtering technologies that reduce 2,4,5-TP
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Utilities with the highest amounts of 2,4,5-TP, 2017-2019
| Utility | Location | Tests | Average level | People served |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farmersville | Farmersville, IL | 1 of 9 | 0.756 ppb | 816 |
| Butts County/Jackson/Jenkinsburg WS* | Jackson, GA | 1 of 4 | 0.445 ppb | 22,500 |
| St. Lucie Mobile Village | Indiantown, FL | 1 of 2 | 0.1000 ppb | 750 |
| Florida Pines Mobile Home Park | Venice, FL | 1 of 2 | 0.0800 ppb | 280 |
| Washington Terrace Llc | Bellevue, NE | 1 of 18 | 0.0600 ppb | 223 |
| Martinview Mobile Home Park | Bellevue, NE | 1 of 18 | 0.0600 ppb | 378 |
| Nebe Green Acres Mobile Home Park | Bellevue, NE | 1 of 18 | 0.0600 ppb | 870 |
| Meadowbrook Estates Water System | Omaha, NE | 1 of 18 | 0.0600 ppb | 675 |
| Maplewood Estates | Omaha, NE | 1 of 18 | 0.0600 ppb | 805 |
| Washington County Rural Water 1* | Omaha, NE | 1 of 18 | 0.0600 ppb | 1,713 |
| Metropolitan Utilities District* | Omaha, NE | 1 of 18 | 0.0600 ppb | 554,091 |
| Carter Lake Water District* | Carter Lake, IA | 1 of 18 | 0.0600 ppb | 3,785 |
| Frostproof, City of | Frostproof, FL | 2 of 12 | 0.0533 ppb | 3,550 |
| Dauphin Island Water & Sewer | Theodore, AL | 1 of 9 | 0.0511 ppb | 5,802 |
| Woods Hoa, The | Martinsburg, WV | 1 of 3 | 0.0490 ppb | 1,550 |
| City of Fort Meade | Fort Meade, FL | 1 of 5 | 0.0400 ppb | 5,455 |
| Mulberry, City of | Mulberry, FL | 2 of 9 | 0.0356 ppb | 3,780 |
| Sunrise Southwest | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 1 of 5 | 0.0320 ppb | 9,457 |
| Fern Crest Utilities Inc. | Ft Lauderdale, FL | 1 of 7 | 0.0229 ppb | 3,123 |
| City of Port St. Joe | Port St. Joe, FL | 1 of 5 | 0.0200 ppb | 13,836 |
| Toho Water Authority - Poinciana System | Kissimmee, FL | 1 of 9 | 0.0178 ppb | 69,447 |
| Big Bend Water District | Las Vegas, NV | 1 of 14 | 0.0143 ppb | 8,800 |
| Miramar (East & West) Plants | Miramar, FL | 1 of 16 | 0.01000 ppb | 127,700 |
| Mobile Manor Mobile Home Park | N. Fort Myers, FL | 1 of 25 | 0.00236 ppb | 482 |
| Tamiami Village Mobile Home Park | N. Fort Myers, FL | 1 of 25 | 0.00236 ppb | 1,200 |
| Pine Lakes Mobile Home Park | N. Fort Myers, FL | 1 of 25 | 0.00236 ppb | 1,220 |
| Old Bridge Village Mobile Home Park | North Fort Myers, FL | 1 of 25 | 0.00236 ppb | 1,000 |
| Town of Fort Myers Beach (beach Water) | Fort Myers Beach, FL | 1 of 25 | 0.00236 ppb | 6,900 |
| Gateway Services District | Fort Myers, FL | 1 of 25 | 0.00236 ppb | 12,717 |
| Lee County Utilities* | Fort Myers, FL | 1 of 25 | 0.00236 ppb | 251,502 |
* 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 2,4,5-TP (Silvex), but it likely has the contaminant in its water supply.
| Utility | Location | Tests | Average level | People served |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Butts County/Jackson/Jenkinsburg WS* | Jackson, GA | 1 of 4 | 0.445 ppb | 22,500 |
| Metropolitan Utilities District* | Omaha, NE | 1 of 18 | 0.0600 ppb | 554,091 |
| City of Port St. Joe | Port St. Joe, FL | 1 of 5 | 0.0200 ppb | 13,836 |
| Toho Water Authority - Poinciana System | Kissimmee, FL | 1 of 9 | 0.0178 ppb | 69,447 |
| Miramar (East & West) Plants | Miramar, FL | 1 of 16 | 0.01000 ppb | 127,700 |
| Lee County Utilities* | Fort Myers, FL | 1 of 25 | 0.00236 ppb | 251,502 |
| Gateway Services District | Fort Myers, FL | 1 of 25 | 0.00236 ppb | 12,717 |
* 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 2,4,5-TP (Silvex), but it likely has the contaminant in its water supply.