Menu

EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

Donate

Toluene

Crystal Clear WSC

Toluene is a volatile solvent that harms the nervous and immune systems, damages the liver and may increase the risk of miscarriage and birth defects. Read More.

Toluene is a petroleum-derived chemical found in gasoline and used as a solvent in paints, adhesives and cleaning supplies. Toluene is highly neurotoxic. Exposure can cause fatigue and nausea, and may lead to nervous system disorders.

 

16

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND10ND
2015ND50ND
2016ND30ND
2017ND20ND
2018ND30ND
2019ND20ND

ppb = parts per billion

State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines

EWG Health Guideline 150 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 150 ppb for toluene 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) 1,000 ppb

The legal limit for toluene, established in 1991, was based on a toxicity study in laboratory animals conducted in the 1980s.

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

Date Lab ID Result
2014-09-04AC65845ND
2015-07-30AD01820ND
2015-07-30AD01810ND
2015-12-07AD15746ND
2015-12-07AD15742ND
2015-12-07AD15736ND
2016-03-16AD29061ND
2016-03-16AD29065ND
2016-06-07AD39628ND
2017-02-07AD69210ND
2017-02-07AD69216ND
2018-02-13AE13586ND
2018-02-13AE13582ND
2018-08-09AE36386ND
2019-01-28AE51626ND
2019-01-28AE51624ND