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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Toluene

Olean City

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.

 

20

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND20ND
2015ND50ND
2016ND70ND
2017ND20ND
2018ND20ND
2019ND20ND

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
2014-01-08POC - 1/14 - PLAND
2014-01-08POC - 1/14 - M37ND
2015-01-071/15 POC - PLANTND
2015-01-071/14 M37/38 POSTND
2015-03-173/15 POC-M37/38ND
2015-07-157/15 POC M37/38ND
2015-09-159/15 POC-M37/38ND
2016-01-061/16 POC20160107ND
2016-01-061/16 POC20160107ND
2016-03-223/16 POC20160323ND
2016-05-045/16 POC20160421ND
2016-07-067/16 POC20160628ND
2016-09-069/16 POC20160825ND
2016-12-0512/16POC20161026ND
2017-01-10201701111344ND
2017-01-10201701111342ND
2018-01-087039940004ND
2018-01-087039940005ND
2019-01-087075972004ND
2019-01-087075972005ND