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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Xylenes (total)

S S WSC

Xylenes are solvents used in industrial and consumer products, such as cleaning agents and paint thinners. Xylenes cause nervous system damage and may harm developing fetuses.

 

21

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2013N/A00N/A
2014ND20ND
2015ND40ND
2016ND40ND
2017ND40ND
2018ND30ND
2019ND40ND

ppb = parts per billion

State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines

EWG Health Guideline 1,800 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 1,800 ppb for xylenes 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 the brain and nervous system.

EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) 10,000 ppb

The legal limit for xylenes, established in 1991, was based on a toxicity study in laboratory animals conducted in the 1980s. This limit may not fully protect against harm to the brain and nervous system due to xylene exposure.

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

Date Lab ID Result
2014-03-26AC48344ND
2014-09-08AC66064ND
2015-01-15AC76454ND
2015-01-15AC76450ND
2015-01-15AC76452ND
2015-01-15AC76448ND
2016-01-21AD19289ND
2016-01-21AD19283ND
2016-01-21AD19297ND
2016-01-21AD19295ND
2017-05-10AD83658ND
2017-05-10AD83656ND
2017-05-10AD83648ND
2017-05-10AD83650ND
2018-07-02AE32233ND
2018-07-02AE32229ND
2018-07-02AE32231ND
2019-03-28AE60472ND
2019-03-28AE60474ND
2019-03-28AE60480ND
2019-03-28AE60478ND