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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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MTBE

Benedict

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.

 

9

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND40ND
2015ND10ND
2016N/A00N/A
2017ND10ND
2018ND20ND
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
2014-02-040080062_01_03560ND
2014-04-010080062_01_04277ND
2014-07-100080062_01_00010ND
2014-10-010080062_01_00117ND
2015-01-270080062_01_00229ND
2017-07-12E18000129001ND
2018-04-24E18003818001ND
2018-04-24E18003818004ND
2019-07-12E20000160001ND