Chlorate Contamination

Chlorate in New Jersey Drinking Water

Ranked by max chlorate detected (µg/L) · UCMR 3 data (2013–2015) · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

292

Cities Tested

186

Over HA

64%

% Over HA

389.0 µg/L

State Avg

▲ 5% vs national

vs National

331

Health Violations

Analysis

Chlorate in New Jersey: what the data shows

New Jersey has 292 cities with chlorate data from the EPA's UCMR 3 program (2013–2015). Chlorate exceeded the 210 µg/L EPA lifetime health advisory in 186 of those cities. The state average max detected level is 389.0 µg/L. Chlorate is a disinfection byproduct that forms when chlorine dioxide or hypochlorite solutions are used to disinfect drinking water. It is most common in systems that use chlorine dioxide for taste-and-odor control or that store hypochlorite for extended periods. There is no federal MCL — the EPA lifetime health advisory is 210 µg/L. Chlorate can interfere with thyroid function by blocking iodide uptake, an effect of particular concern for pregnant women, infants, and people with thyroid conditions. Reverse osmosis and ion exchange (anion-specific) are effective at removing chlorate; standard activated carbon filters provide only modest reduction.

Comparison

Cities exceeding 210 µg/L EPA lifetime HA (no MCL)

New Jersey

64%

186 of 292 cities

→ ▲ 5% above national rate (worse)

National avg

59%

1866 of 3166 cities

City Map

Chlorate data across New Jersey

Each dot is a city with UCMR 3 chlorate testing data. Cities where chlorate exceeds the 210 µg/L EPA lifetime health advisory are highlighted. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by chlorate level in New Jersey

Highest Chlorate levels (µg/L)

All Cities

All New Jersey cities ranked by chlorate level

#	City	Level	Over HA?	Violations	Grade
1	Willingboro Twp.-0338	5755.7 µg/L	Over HA	1	B
2	Pennsville Twp.-1708	3519.2 µg/L	Over HA	5	C-
3	Burlington Twp.-0306	2536.2 µg/L	Over HA	1	B-
4	Lawrence Twp.-1107	2112.0 µg/L	Over HA	37	F
5	Vineland City-0614	1900.0 µg/L	Over HA	70	F
6	Manchester Twp.-1518	1700.0 µg/L	Over HA	23	F
7	Denville Twp.-1408	1700.0 µg/L	Over HA	4	F
8	Summit City-2018	1690.0 µg/L	Over HA	10	C
9	Freehold Twp.-1316	1210.0 µg/L	Over HA	8	D+
10	Freehold Twp.-1316	1210.0 µg/L	Over HA	17	D+
11	Freehold Twp.-1316	990.0 µg/L	Over HA	4	C
12	Freehold Twp.-1316	990.0 µg/L	Over HA	4	C
13	Freehold Twp.-1316	990.0 µg/L	Over HA	4	C
14	Elizabeth City- 2004	930.0 µg/L	Over HA	6	F
15	Burlington Twp.-0306	810.0 µg/L	Over HA	25	F
16	Berlin Boro-0405	782.5 µg/L	Over HA	1	B+
17	Freehold Twp.-1316	760.0 µg/L	Over HA	13	B-
18	Freehold Twp.-1316	760.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	B
19	Freehold Twp.-1316	760.0 µg/L	Over HA	3	B-
20	Freehold Twp.-1316	760.0 µg/L	Over HA	1	B
21	Freehold Twp.-1316	760.0 µg/L	Over HA	22	F
22	Freehold Twp.-1316	760.0 µg/L	Over HA	6	F
23	Freehold Twp.-1316	760.0 µg/L	Over HA	3	C-
24	Freehold Twp.-1316	760.0 µg/L	Over HA	9	C+
25	Freehold Twp.-1316	760.0 µg/L	Over HA	1	B+
26	Freehold Twp.-1316	760.0 µg/L	Over HA	1	B+
27	Freehold Twp.-1316	760.0 µg/L	Over HA	1	B+
28	Freehold Twp.-1316	760.0 µg/L	Over HA	1	B+
29	Freehold Twp.-1316	760.0 µg/L	Over HA	1	B+
30	Freehold Twp.-1316	760.0 µg/L	Over HA	1	B+
31	Freehold Twp.-1316	760.0 µg/L	Over HA	1	B+
32	Freehold Twp.-1316	760.0 µg/L	Over HA	1	B+
33	Freehold Twp.-1316	760.0 µg/L	Over HA	1	B+
34	Freehold Twp.-1316	760.0 µg/L	Over HA	1	B+
35	Freehold Twp.-1316	760.0 µg/L	Over HA	1	B+
36	Freehold Twp.-1316	760.0 µg/L	Over HA	1	B+
37	Freehold Twp.-1316	760.0 µg/L	Over HA	1	B+
38	Freehold Twp.-1316	760.0 µg/L	Over HA	1	B+
39	Freehold Twp.-1316	760.0 µg/L	Over HA	1	B+
40	Mount Holly Twp.-0323	750.0 µg/L	Over HA	0	B+
41	Winslow Twp.-0436	668.4 µg/L	Over HA	37	F
42	Washington Twp.-1438	573.5 µg/L	Over HA	22	F
43	Ocean City-0508	570.0 µg/L	Over HA	0	A+
44	Sparta Twp.-1918	562.0 µg/L	Over HA	11	F
45	Haledon Boro-1603	540.0 µg/L	Over HA	22	C+
46	South River Boro-1223	500.0 µg/L	Over HA	7	F
47	Absecon City-0101	470.0 µg/L	Over HA	9	C-
48	Absecon City-0101	470.0 µg/L	Over HA	22	F
49	Absecon City-0101	470.0 µg/L	Over HA	4	B-
50	Absecon City-0101	470.0 µg/L	Over HA	0	A-
51	Absecon City-0101	470.0 µg/L	Over HA	0	A-
52	Absecon City-0101	470.0 µg/L	Over HA	0	A-
53	Absecon City-0101	470.0 µg/L	Over HA	0	A-
54	North Brunswick Twp.-1215	470.0 µg/L	Over HA	17	F
55	Ramsey Boro-0248	460.0 µg/L	Over HA	56	F
56	Gloucester City-0414	453.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	A-
57	Little Falls Twp.-1605	430.0 µg/L	Over HA	12	B
58	Sayreville Boro-1219	430.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	B
59	Evesham Twp.-0313	423.0 µg/L	Over HA	1	A-
60	New Brunswick City-1214	410.0 µg/L	Over HA	46	D+
61	Jackson Twp.-1511	410.0 µg/L	Over HA	18	F
62	Franklin Twp.-1808	406.0 µg/L	Over HA	16	D+
63	Burlington Twp.-0306	400.0 µg/L	Over HA	8	C-
64	Burlington Twp.-0306	400.0 µg/L	Over HA	8	C-
65	Burlington Twp.-0306	400.0 µg/L	Over HA	1	B-
66	Burlington Twp.-0306	400.0 µg/L	Over HA	0	B-
67	Burlington Twp.-0306	400.0 µg/L	Over HA	5	F
68	Burlington Twp.-0306	400.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	C+
69	Burlington Twp.-0306	400.0 µg/L	Over HA	0	C+
70	Burlington Twp.-0306	400.0 µg/L	Over HA	1	B-
71	Burlington Twp.-0306	400.0 µg/L	Over HA	0	C+
72	Burlington Twp.-0306	400.0 µg/L	Over HA	0	B
73	Burlington Twp.-0306	400.0 µg/L	Over HA	0	B
74	Burlington Twp.-0306	400.0 µg/L	Over HA	0	B
75	Burlington Twp.-0306	400.0 µg/L	Over HA	0	B
76	Burlington Twp.-0306	400.0 µg/L	Over HA	0	B
77	Burlington Twp.-0306	400.0 µg/L	Over HA	0	B
78	Burlington Twp.-0306	400.0 µg/L	Over HA	0	B
79	Burlington Twp.-0306	400.0 µg/L	Over HA	0	B
80	Burlington Twp.-0306	400.0 µg/L	Over HA	0	B
81	Burlington Twp.-0306	400.0 µg/L	Over HA	0	B
82	Burlington Twp.-0306	400.0 µg/L	Over HA	0	B
83	Burlington Twp.-0306	400.0 µg/L	Over HA	0	B
84	Burlington Twp.-0306	400.0 µg/L	Over HA	0	B
85	Burlington Twp.-0306	400.0 µg/L	Over HA	0	B
86	Burlington Twp.-0306	400.0 µg/L	Over HA	0	B
87	Burlington Twp.-0306	400.0 µg/L	Over HA	0	B
88	Burlington Twp.-0306	400.0 µg/L	Over HA	0	B
89	Burlington Twp.-0306	400.0 µg/L	Over HA	0	B
90	Burlington Twp.-0306	400.0 µg/L	Over HA	0	B
91	Burlington Twp.-0306	400.0 µg/L	Over HA	0	B
92	Burlington Twp.-0306	400.0 µg/L	Over HA	0	B
93	Burlington Twp.-0306	400.0 µg/L	Over HA	0	B
94	Burlington Twp.-0306	400.0 µg/L	Over HA	0	B
95	Burlington Twp.-0306	400.0 µg/L	Over HA	0	B
96	Burlington Twp.-0306	400.0 µg/L	Over HA	0	B
97	Old Bridge Twp.-1209	400.0 µg/L	Over HA	14	C+
98	Elmwood Park Boro-0211	397.0 µg/L	Over HA	12	B-
99	Perth Amboy City--1216	390.0 µg/L	Over HA	8	C+
100	Brigantine City-0103	387.6 µg/L	Over HA	3	B+
101	Guttenberg Town-0903	380.0 µg/L	Over HA	4	D+
102	Rahway City-2013	380.0 µg/L	Over HA	12	B
103	Oldmans Twp.-1706	380.0 µg/L	Over HA	3	B-
104	Oldmans Twp.-1706	380.0 µg/L	Over HA	3	B-
105	Oldmans Twp.-1706	380.0 µg/L	Over HA	1	B+
106	Franklin Twp.-1808	371.0 µg/L	Over HA	1	B
107	Barnegat Twp.-1533	370.0 µg/L	Over HA	5	C+
108	North Arlington Boro-0239	360.0 µg/L	Over HA	7	B+
109	Point Pleasant Boro-1524	354.7 µg/L	Over HA	2	C-
110	Seaside Heights Boro-1526	340.0 µg/L	Over HA	0	A-
111	Avalon Boro-0501	331.2 µg/L	Over HA	2	B
112	Fair Lawn Boro-0217	315.3 µg/L	Over HA	8	F
113	Elizabeth City- 2004	310.0 µg/L	Over HA	8	C-
114	Guttenberg Town-0903	300.0 µg/L	Over HA	4	C+
115	Guttenberg Town-0903	300.0 µg/L	Over HA	4	D
116	Guttenberg Town-0903	300.0 µg/L	Over HA	4	D
117	Guttenberg Town-0903	300.0 µg/L	Over HA	4	D
118	Guttenberg Town-0903	300.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	B-
119	Guttenberg Town-0903	300.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	B-
120	Guttenberg Town-0903	300.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	B-
121	Guttenberg Town-0903	300.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	B-
122	Guttenberg Town-0903	300.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	B-
123	Guttenberg Town-0903	300.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	B-
124	Guttenberg Town-0903	300.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	B-
125	Guttenberg Town-0903	300.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	B-
126	Guttenberg Town-0903	300.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	B-
127	Guttenberg Town-0903	300.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	B-
128	Guttenberg Town-0903	300.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	B-
129	Guttenberg Town-0903	300.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	B-
130	Guttenberg Town-0903	300.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	B-
131	Guttenberg Town-0903	300.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	B-
132	Guttenberg Town-0903	300.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	B-
133	Guttenberg Town-0903	300.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	B-
134	Guttenberg Town-0903	300.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	B-
135	Guttenberg Town-0903	300.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	B-
136	Guttenberg Town-0903	300.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	B-
137	Guttenberg Town-0903	300.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	B-
138	Guttenberg Town-0903	300.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	B-
139	Guttenberg Town-0903	300.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	B-
140	Guttenberg Town-0903	300.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	B-
141	Guttenberg Town-0903	300.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	B-
142	Guttenberg Town-0903	300.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	B-
143	Guttenberg Town-0903	300.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	B-
144	Guttenberg Town-0903	300.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	B-
145	Guttenberg Town-0903	300.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	B-
146	Guttenberg Town-0903	300.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	B-
147	Guttenberg Town-0903	300.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	B-
148	Guttenberg Town-0903	300.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	B-
149	Guttenberg Town-0903	300.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	B-
150	Guttenberg Town-0903	300.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	B-
151	Guttenberg Town-0903	300.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	B-
152	Guttenberg Town-0903	300.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	B-
153	Guttenberg Town-0903	300.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	B-
154	Guttenberg Town-0903	300.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	B-
155	Guttenberg Town-0903	300.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	B-
156	Guttenberg Town-0903	300.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	B-
157	Guttenberg Town-0903	300.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	B-
158	Guttenberg Town-0903	300.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	B-
159	Guttenberg Town-0903	300.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	B-
160	Guttenberg Town-0903	300.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	B-
161	Guttenberg Town-0903	300.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	B-
162	Guttenberg Town-0903	300.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	B-
163	Guttenberg Town-0903	300.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	B-
164	Guttenberg Town-0903	300.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	B-
165	Guttenberg Town-0903	300.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	B-
166	Guttenberg Town-0903	300.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	B-
167	Guttenberg Town-0903	300.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	B-
168	Guttenberg Town-0903	300.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	B-
169	Garfield City-0221	290.0 µg/L	Over HA	13	B
170	Long Beach Twp.-1517	280.0 µg/L	Over HA	0	F
171	Totowa Boro-1612	280.0 µg/L	Over HA	1	B-
172	Washington Boro-2121	280.0 µg/L	Over HA	0	B+
173	Pemberton Twp.-0329	275.6 µg/L	Over HA	21	D
174	Ringwood Boro-1611	270.4 µg/L	Over HA	19	F
175	Edison Twp.-1205	270.0 µg/L	Over HA	4	B-
176	Beach Haven Boro-1503	270.0 µg/L	Over HA	1	A-
177	West Caldwell Boro-0721	270.0 µg/L	Over HA	3	C
178	Wildwood City-0514	251.7 µg/L	Over HA	6	B-
179	Lyndhurst Twp-0232	249.0 µg/L	Over HA	2	B+
180	Camden City-0408	246.0 µg/L	Over HA	8	C+
181	Ringwood Boro-1611	230.0 µg/L	Over HA	10	D
182	Pine Hill Boro-0428	230.0 µg/L	Over HA	0	A-
183	Seaside Park Boro-1527	227.0 µg/L	Over HA	1	A-
184	Saddle Brook Twp-0257	227.0 µg/L	Over HA	13	B-
185	Harrison Town-0904	220.0 µg/L	Over HA	3	B+
186	Spring Lake Boro-1348	220.0 µg/L	Over HA	0	A-
187	Lawrence Twp.-1107	210.0 µg/L	No	40	F
188	Lawrence Twp.-1107	210.0 µg/L	No	39	F
189	Lawrence Twp.-1107	210.0 µg/L	No	35	D
190	Lawrence Twp.-1107	210.0 µg/L	No	35	D
191	Ridgewood Twp-0251	210.0 µg/L	No	12	D+
192	East Hanover Twp.-1410	210.0 µg/L	No	8	C+
193	Roxbury Twp.-1436	206.9 µg/L	No	8	D+
194	Collingswood Boro-0412	205.0 µg/L	No	4	B+
195	Hillside Twp.-2007	200.0 µg/L	No	32	C
196	Hillside Twp.-2007	200.0 µg/L	No	32	C
197	Summit City-2018	200.0 µg/L	No	5	D+
198	Summit City-2018	200.0 µg/L	No	2	F
199	Summit City-2018	200.0 µg/L	No	2	D+
200	Summit City-2018	200.0 µg/L	No	42	F
201	Summit City-2018	200.0 µg/L	No	1	B
202	Summit City-2018	200.0 µg/L	No	0	C-
203	Summit City-2018	200.0 µg/L	No	3	B-
204	Summit City-2018	200.0 µg/L	No	0	B+
205	Summit City-2018	200.0 µg/L	No	0	B+
206	Summit City-2018	200.0 µg/L	No	0	B+
207	Summit City-2018	200.0 µg/L	No	0	B+
208	Summit City-2018	200.0 µg/L	No	12	F
209	Summit City-2018	200.0 µg/L	No	0	B+
210	Summit City-2018	200.0 µg/L	No	0	B+
211	Summit City-2018	200.0 µg/L	No	0	B+
212	Summit City-2018	200.0 µg/L	No	0	B+
213	Summit City-2018	200.0 µg/L	No	0	B+
214	Summit City-2018	200.0 µg/L	No	0	B+
215	Summit City-2018	200.0 µg/L	No	0	B+
216	Summit City-2018	200.0 µg/L	No	0	B+
217	Summit City-2018	200.0 µg/L	No	0	B+
218	Summit City-2018	200.0 µg/L	No	0	B+
219	Summit City-2018	200.0 µg/L	No	0	B+
220	Summit City-2018	200.0 µg/L	No	0	B+
221	Summit City-2018	200.0 µg/L	No	0	B+
222	Nutley Town-0716	200.0 µg/L	No	13	C
223	Mahwah Twp-0233	200.0 µg/L	No	2	C-
224	Kearny Town-0907	191.0 µg/L	No	2	B+
225	Atlantic City-0102	190.0 µg/L	No	4	B
226	Bayonne City-0901	190.0 µg/L	No	1	B+
227	Hoboken City-0905	190.0 µg/L	No	0	A-
228	Hamilton Twp-0112	190.0 µg/L	No	4	C
229	Mendham Twp.-1419	180.0 µg/L	No	2	D+
230	Mendham Twp.-1419	180.0 µg/L	No	2	C-
231	Mendham Twp.-1419	180.0 µg/L	No	2	C-
232	Mendham Twp.-1419	180.0 µg/L	No	2	C-
233	Manalapan Twp.-1326	180.0 µg/L	No	1	B+
234	Orange City-0717	180.0 µg/L	No	5	C+
235	Wall Twp.-1352	178.4 µg/L	No	5	C+
236	Margate City-0116	176.0 µg/L	No	1	A
237	Stafford Twp.-1530	170.0 µg/L	No	3	B
238	Highland Park Boro-1207	160.5 µg/L	No	4	B+
239	Jersey City-0906	160.0 µg/L	No	5	B
240	Hawthorne Boro-1604	160.0 µg/L	No	3	D+
241	Beachwood Boro-1504	160.0 µg/L	No	0	B-
242	Hillsdale Boro-0227	158.0 µg/L	No	2	C+
243	Hillsdale Boro-0227	158.0 µg/L	No	2	C+
244	East Brunswick Twp.-1204	150.0 µg/L	No	17	F
245	Parsippany Troy-Hills-1429	150.0 µg/L	No	5	F
246	Pequannock Twp.-1431	140.0 µg/L	No	24	F
247	Ship Bottom Boro-1528	140.0 µg/L	No	2	A-
248	Woodbridge Twp.-1225	139.8 µg/L	No	1	B
249	Clinton Town -1005	137.8 µg/L	No	2	D
250	Little Egg Harbor-1516	130.7 µg/L	No	1	A
251	Wayne Twp.-1614	128.0 µg/L	No	1	B+
252	East Windsor Twp.-1101	128.0 µg/L	No	1	A-
253	Phillipsburg Town-2119	122.0 µg/L	No	0	B+
254	Montville Twp.-1421	121.8 µg/L	No	7	C
255	Berkeley Twp.-1505	120.0 µg/L	No	2	C+
256	Bridgeton City-0601	119.2 µg/L	No	55	D
257	Randolph Twp.-1432	115.5 µg/L	No	3	B+
258	Marlboro Twp.-1328	110.0 µg/L	No	13	C+
259	Verona Boro-0720	109.0 µg/L	No	5	F
260	Hamilton Twp-0112	107.4 µg/L	No	4	C+
261	Pequannock Twp.-1431	106.5 µg/L	No	10	C
262	Hammonton Town-0113	96.7 µg/L	No	38	C+
263	Glassboro Boro-0806	96.2 µg/L	No	16	C
264	Cape May City-0502	94.9 µg/L	No	9	B
265	Freehold Boro-1315	90.0 µg/L	No	3	B-
266	Cedar Grove Twp.-0704	88.8 µg/L	No	3	B
267	Woodbury City-0822	88.6 µg/L	No	0	B
268	Hillside Twp.-2007	86.0 µg/L	No	35	F
269	Montclair Town-0713	81.9 µg/L	No	1	B
270	Lacey Twp.-1512	76.0 µg/L	No	2	B+
271	New Hanover Twp.-0325	70.8 µg/L	No	4	B+
272	Barnegat Twp.-1533	67.6 µg/L	No	2	B+
273	Hillside Twp.-2007	65.5 µg/L	No	67	F
274	Mantua Twp.-0810	60.9 µg/L	No	28	F
275	Sea Isle City-0509	57.0 µg/L	No	0	A-
276	Boonton Town-1401	53.0 µg/L	No	9	F
277	Monroe Twp.-0811	48.4 µg/L	No	9	C
278	Hillside Twp.-2007	47.0 µg/L	No	75	F
279	Hillside Twp.-2007	47.0 µg/L	No	32	B-
280	Medford Twp.-0320	45.0 µg/L	No	2	C+
281	Madison Boro-1417	44.0 µg/L	No	7	B-
282	Wall Twp.-1352	42.0 µg/L	No	1	B
283	Pompton Lakes Boro-1609	41.7 µg/L	No	0	C
284	West Deptford Twp.-0820	38.0 µg/L	No	2	B
285	Florence Twp.-0315	35.1 µg/L	No	1	B
286	Deptford Twp.-0802	34.0 µg/L	No	3	B-
287	Washington Twp.-0818	33.4 µg/L	No	0	F
288	Dover Town-1409	30.0 µg/L	No	10	C-
289	Bordentown Twp.-0304	23.3 µg/L	No	17	C
290	Bordentown Twp.-0304	23.3 µg/L	No	14	B-
291	Bordentown Twp.-0304	23.3 µg/L	No	14	B-
292	Millville City-0610	21.8 µg/L	No	3	F

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about chlorate in New Jersey

Is chlorate in New Jersey tap water dangerous?

Chlorate has no federal MCL. The EPA lifetime health advisory is 210 µg/L. 186 cities in New Jersey exceed this level. Chlorate can interfere with thyroid iodide uptake, which is a particular concern for infants, pregnant women, and people with hypothyroidism.

Where does chlorate in New Jersey water come from?

Chlorate is a byproduct of chlorine-based disinfectants — particularly chlorine dioxide and hypochlorite (bleach) solutions. Levels tend to be higher in systems that use chlorine dioxide for taste-and-odor treatment or store sodium hypochlorite at high concentrations or for long periods. Levels vary seasonally with disinfectant use.

How can I reduce chlorate exposure?

Reverse osmosis is the most effective home treatment for chlorate, typically removing 80–95%. Anion exchange systems also work but require regeneration. Standard activated carbon filters provide only limited chlorate reduction. Boiling does NOT remove chlorate.

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