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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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MTBE

Ephesus

MTBE was used as gasoline oxygenation additive to boost the octane number. In 2005, MTBE was replaced by ethanol as a gasoline additive. MTBE causes cancers in rats.

 

22

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND60ND
2015ND30ND
20160.905 ppb440.590 ppb - 1.10 ppb
20170.825 ppb42ND - 1.80 ppb
20180.128 ppb41ND - 0.510 ppb
2019ND10ND

ppb = parts per billion

State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines

EWG Health Guideline 13 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 13 ppb for MTBE 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.

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

Date Lab ID Result
2014-01-15AI26793ND
2014-01-15AI26792ND
2014-01-15AI26791ND
2014-04-22AI38581ND
2014-07-09AI45367ND
2014-11-12AI59496ND
2015-03-19AI69473ND
2015-03-19AI69472ND
2015-03-19AI69471ND
2016-03-23AJ086580.830 ppb
2016-05-24AJ128531.10 ppb
2016-08-09AJ218971.10 ppb
2016-10-26AJ322850.590 ppb
2017-02-01AJ438731.50 ppb
2017-04-26AJ540831.80 ppb
2017-07-31AJ62157ND
2017-10-24AJ72297ND
2018-01-30AJ78082ND
2018-01-30AJ780810.510 ppb
2018-01-30AJ78080ND
2018-04-11AJ87337ND
2019-05-14AK17469ND