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Status: Unregulated - EPA has not established a maximum legal limit in tapwater for this contaminant. Isopropyl alcohol is an intermediate in chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing. It is used as a solvent for coatings, ink, oil; in perfume, hand lotion, after shave, and other personal care products; and as chemical processing solvent and gasoline additive. It is produced naturally in waste decomposition. Potential health impacts associated with Isopropyl alcohol include cardiovascular or blood toxicity, developmental toxicity, gastrointestinal or liver toxicity, kidney toxicity, neurotoxicity, respiratory toxicity, and skin sensitivity. Sources of Isopropyl alcohol:  | Sprawl and Urban Areas (road runoff, lawn pesticides, human waste) |  | Industry |
An Environmental Working Group analysis of Isopropyl alcohol tests reported by 104 public water suppliers in 4 states shows that between 1999 and 2003, 1.1 million people in 98 communities drank water contaminated with Isopropyl alcohol. No health-based limit has been established by the federal government.Isopropyl alcohol remains unregulated in tap water, without a maximum legal limit. Exposure Summary 1,140,512 | People drinking water contaminated with Isopropyl alcohol | 98 | Communities served water contaminated with Isopropyl alcohol |
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Table. Isopropyl alcohol Exposure by State1.1 million Americans in 1 states were served tap water contaminated with Isopropyl alcohol between 1999 and 2003. | State | Water suppliers with Isopropyl alcohol contamination |
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| Systems | Population |
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| Texas | 98 | 1,140,512 | | Total | 98 | 1,140,512 |
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Table. The most polluted communities1.1 million Americans in 98 communities were served tap water contaminated with Isopropyl alcohol between 1999 and 2003 Ranked by highest average Isopropyl alcohol level | Rank | System
| Population Served
| Positive test results of total reported tests
| Average Level
(Range) |
|---|
| 1 | Borden County Water System
Gail, TX | 224 | 1 of 1 | 140 ppb
(140 to 140 ppb) | | 2 | North Oak Mobile Home Park
Huntsville, TX | 132 | 1 of 1 | 11 ppb
(11 to 11 ppb) | | 3 | City of Mabank
Mabank, TX | 10,848 | 1 of 1 | 9.1 ppb
(9.1 to 9.1 ppb) | | 4 | Carriage Trail Subdivision
Dayton, TX | 84 | 1 of 1 | 6.6 ppb
(6.6 to 6.6 ppb) | | 5 | Iwanda Mobile Home Park
Vidor, TX | 87 | 1 of 1 | 6.3 ppb
(6.3 to 6.3 ppb) | | 6 | Oak Acres Mobile Home Park
Vidor, TX | 90 | 1 of 1 | 5.6 ppb
(5.6 to 5.6 ppb) | | 7 | Provence Water System
Houston, TX | 285 | 1 of 1 | 5.3 ppb
(5.3 to 5.3 ppb) | | 8 | City of Beaumont Water Utility Departmen
Beaumont, TX | 139,287 | 1 of 1 | 5.1 ppb
(5.1 to 5.1 ppb) | | 9 | Louetta North Public Utility District
Houston, TX | 3,885 | 1 of 1 | 4.5 ppb
(4.5 to 4.5 ppb) | | 10 | City of Windom
Windom, TX | 375 | 1 of 1 | 3.9 ppb
(3.9 to 3.9 ppb) |
Next --> Testing Summary for Isopropyl alcohol Water suppliers report an average of 0.2 Isopropyl alcohol tests per year. 39,647 water suppliers failed to report
any Isopropyl alcohol tests at all. | Are tests routinely required for Isopropyl alcohol by federal law? | No | | Water suppliers reporting tests for Isopropyl alcohol (1999-2003): | 104 of 39,751 | | Average testing rate for water supplier reporting tests (1999-2003): | 0.2 per year |
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Isopropyl alcohol Violations Because Isopropyl alcohol is unregulated in tap water, no violations are
recorded in EPA's violations database, the Safe Drinking Water Information
System. Under the federal tap water law, water suppliers are not required
to routinely test for Isopropyl alcohol, and any level is legal in tap water.
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