National Drinking Water Database
National Drinking Water Database - Chemical Contaminants
p-Xylene
Status: Regulated - EPA has established a maximum legal limit in tapwater for this contaminant.
p-Xylene is a petroleum-derived solvent used in the printing, rubber, and leather industries; it is also used as a cleaning agent, a thinner for paint, and an ingredient in paints and varnishes.
Detected |
Found above health guidelines |
Found above legal limit |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| States | 8 |
- |
- |
| Water utilities | 140 |
- |
- |
| People Served | 593,534 |
- |
- |
p-Xylene Exposure by State
Water utilities in 8 states have reported detecting p-Xylene in treated tap water since 2004, according to EWG's analysis of water quality data supplied by state water agencies.
| State | Water Suppliers with p-Xylene contamination | |
|---|---|---|
| Systems | Population | |
| New Jersey | 18 | 250,667 |
| Arkansas | 45 | 170,399 |
| Wisconsin | 23 | 71,161 |
| Maryland | 19 | 46,647 |
| New York | 30 | 44,102 |
| Ohio | 2 | 9,630 |
| South Dakota | 2 | 928 |
| New Hampshire | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 140 | 593,534 |
The Most Polluted Communities
140 water utilities reported detecting p-Xylene in tap water since 2004, according to EWG's analysis of water quality data supplied by state water agencies
Ranked by highest average p-Xylene level
| Rank | System | Population Served | Positive test results of total reported tests | Average Level (Range) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Owego W D NO 2 Apalachin, NY | 2,754 | 5 of 7 | 9.61 ppb (0 to 24 ppb) |
| 2 | Strawberry Hills La Plata, MD | 1,505 | 1 of 2 | 6.32 ppb (0 to 12.63 ppb) |
| 3 | Marlboro State Hospital Marlboro Twp, NJ | 280 | 1 of 1 | 4.1 ppb (4.1 ppb) |
| 4 | Cross Point Subdivision Prince Frederick, MD | 462 | 1 of 2 | 3.9 ppb (0 to 7.8 ppb) |
| 5 | New Woodstock Water District Cazenovia, NY | 460 | 1 of 3 | 2.97 ppb (0 to 8.9 ppb) |
| 6 | Arena Waterworks Arena, WI | 525 | 1 of 1 | 2.5 ppb (2.5 ppb) |
| 7 | Perry Point V.A. Hospital Perry Point, MD | 2,000 | 1 of 2 | 2.15 ppb (0 to 4.3 ppb) |
| 8 | Okolona Waterworks Okolona, AR | 613 | 3 of 5 | 2.07 ppb (0 to 9.08 ppb) |
| 9 | Jonesboro Water System Jonesboro, AR | 67,995 | 5 of 13 | 1.97 ppb (0 to 10.1 ppb) |
| 10 | Hounsfield WD 2 Sackets Harbor, NY | 500 | 8 of 18 | 1.93 ppb (0 to 7.4 ppb) |
Health Based Limits for p-Xylene
| Standard | Description | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Contaminant Limit (MCL) | The enforceable standard which defines the highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to health-based limits (Maximum Contaminant Level Goals, or MCLGs) as feasible using the best available analytical and treatment technologies and taking cost into consideration. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. | 10000 ppb |
| Maximum Contaminant Limit Goal (MCLG) | A non-enforceable health goal that is set at a level at which no known or anticipated adverse effect on the health of persons occurs and which allows an adequate margin of safety. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. | 10000 ppb |
Testing Summary for p-Xylene
| Are tests routinely required for p-Xylene by federal law? | Yes |
| Water suppliers reporting tests for p-Xylene (2004-2009): | 7,158 of 47,576 |
| Average testing rate for water supplier reporting tests (2004-2009): | 0.5 per year |
Violation Summary for p-Xylene
Data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency includes the following violations of federal standards for p-Xylene since 2004
| Maximum Contaminant Level Exceedance Violations | 0 |
| Monitoring Violations | 318 |
| Reporting Violations | 0 |