Profenofos in Connecticut Drinking Water
Profenofos has been detected in water systems serving 3,384 ZIP codes nationwide. Here is what you need to know about profenofos in your drinking water and how it may affect your household.
What Is Profenofos?
Profenofos is an organophosphate insecticide used primarily on cotton and vegetable crops. It enters groundwater through agricultural runoff and spray drift. No EPA maximum contaminant level has been established. Profenofos inhibits cholinesterase enzyme activity, and exposure can cause neurological symptoms including headache, dizziness, muscle twitching, and in severe cases, respiratory distress.
Is Profenofos in Your Water?
Enter your Connecticut ZIP code to find out if profenofos is in your local water — and see personalized health risks for your household.
Check Your ZIP CodeHealth Effects of Profenofos
Cholinergic symptoms, neurological effects
Where Does Profenofos Come From?
Agricultural runoff
How to Reduce Profenofos in Your Water
- 1Install a point-of-use activated carbon block filter certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 for pesticide reduction; activated carbon effectively adsorbs organophosphate insecticides.
- 2A reverse osmosis system certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 58 provides additional removal of profenofos and related organophosphate compounds.
- 3For well water near agricultural operations, use a granular activated carbon tank system at the point of entry for whole-house treatment.
- 4Test water through a certified laboratory if located near cotton-growing regions, and replace carbon media before adsorption capacity is exhausted.
Who Is Most Vulnerable to Profenofos?
The safe level of profenofos varies significantly depending on who is drinking the water. CheckYourTap calculates adjusted safe levels for each member of your household:
A contaminant level that is safe for an adult may exceed guidelines for an infant by 4-8x or more. Check your ZIP code to see personalized results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Profenofos in my tap water?▾
What level of Profenofos is safe?▾
How do I remove Profenofos from my water?▾
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About This Report
This water quality report is compiled from public records filed with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, state health departments, and the U.S. Geological Survey. Contaminant levels are evaluated against EPA federal standards and health-based guidelines from leading environmental and public health organizations. CheckYourTap is a service of Valiant Energy Solutions, a Connecticut water quality and energy services company established in 1930.
Last updated March 2026