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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Styrene

Schofield Waterworks

Styrene is a volatile cancer-causing chemical used for manufacturing Styrofoam (polystyrene) and other plastics. Releases from industrial production sites and hazardous waste landfills cause styrene contamination in drinking water. Read More.

In addition to increasing the risk of cancer, styrene can also damage the liver and the nervous system. California set a public health goal for styrene in drinking water at 0.5 parts per billion. The federal Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) allows up to 100 parts per billion of styrene in water, which is 200 times more than the California recommended level.

Click here to read more about carcinogenic VOCs.

 

28

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND60ND
2015ND60ND
2016ND60ND
2017ND40ND
2018ND30ND
2019ND30ND

ppb = parts per billion

State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines

EWG Health Guideline 0.5 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.5 ppb for styrene 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 cancer.

EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) 100 ppb

The legal limit for styrene, established in 1991, was based on a toxicity study in laboratory animals conducted in the 1970s. This limit may not fully protect against the risk of cancer due to styrene exposure.

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

Date Lab ID Result
2014-02-10769670ND
2014-02-10769666ND
2014-02-10769668ND
2014-04-24782514ND
2014-07-16803522ND
2014-11-13831497ND
2015-03-03846158ND
2015-03-03846154ND
2015-03-03846156ND
2015-04-20855168ND
2015-07-07869336ND
2015-12-07897130ND
2016-02-09904665ND
2016-02-09904667ND
2016-02-09904669ND
2016-04-05913780ND
2016-08-10938490ND
2016-10-12953076ND
2017-06-20999042ND
2017-08-161011908ND
2017-08-161011903ND
2017-11-071028389ND
2018-08-281076576ND
2018-08-281076575ND
2018-08-281076574ND
2019-09-161148084ND
2019-09-161148086ND
2019-09-161148082ND