Menu

EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

Donate

Toluene

Pico WD

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.

 

45

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND80ND
2015ND70ND
2016ND80ND
2017ND70ND
2018ND80ND
2019ND70ND

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
2014-01-069588-011-0745ND
2014-03-209588-002-0930ND
2014-03-209588-009-1008ND
2014-03-209588-006-1000ND
2014-03-209588-004-0936ND
2014-06-209588-011-0950ND
2014-08-229588-011-1005ND
2014-10-239588-011-0940ND
2015-03-189588-004-0831ND
2015-03-189588-011-0755ND
2015-03-189588-009-0806ND
2015-03-189588-006-0819ND
2015-06-229588-011-0837ND
2015-08-269588-011-0957ND
2015-12-239588-011-0823ND
2016-02-259588-011-0800ND
2016-03-149588-009-0915ND
2016-03-239588-004-0802ND
2016-03-239588-006-0816ND
2016-05-099588-011-0828ND
2016-08-109588-011-0825ND
2016-11-309588-011-0800ND
2016-12-229588-011-0837ND
2017-02-239588-011-0840ND
2017-03-209588-004-1000ND
2017-03-209588-009-0910ND
2017-03-209588-006-0920ND
2017-05-089588-011-0815ND
2017-08-249588-011-0924ND
2017-11-229588-011-0850ND
2018-02-139588-011-0900ND
2018-03-079588-004-0931ND
2018-03-079588-009-0908ND
2018-03-079588-006-0853ND
2018-05-149588-011-0835ND
2018-08-209588-011-0000ND
2018-08-209588-011-0830ND
2018-11-149588-011-0820ND
2019-03-259588-006-0830ND
2019-03-259588-011-0800ND
2019-03-259588-009-0900ND
2019-05-079588-011-0820ND
2019-05-099588-004-0746ND
2019-07-189588-009-0828ND
2019-10-319588-011-0850ND