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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Styrene

Desert Water Agency

Styrene is a volatile cancer-causing chemical used for manufacturing Styrofoam (polystyrene) and other plastics. Releases from industrial production sites and hazardous waste landfills cause styrene contamination in drinking water. Read More.

In addition to increasing the risk of cancer, styrene can also damage the liver and the nervous system. California set a public health goal for styrene in drinking water at 0.5 parts per billion. The federal Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) allows up to 100 parts per billion of styrene in water, which is 200 times more than the California recommended level.

Click here to read more about carcinogenic VOCs.

MORE ABOUT THIS CONTAMINANT

 

60

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND20ND
2015ND10ND
2016ND310ND
2017ND10ND
2018ND30ND
2019ND220ND

ppb = parts per billion

State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines

EWG Health Guideline 0.5 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.5 ppb for styrene 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.

EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) 100 ppb

The legal limit for styrene, established in 1991, was based on a toxicity study in laboratory animals conducted in the 1970s. This limit may not fully protect against the risk of cancer due to styrene exposure.

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

Date Lab ID Result
2014-03-123761-034-0715ND
2014-06-253761-060-1045ND
2015-08-043761-041-0930ND
2016-03-103761-008-1000ND
2016-03-303761-034-0940ND
2016-05-043761-060-0935ND
2016-05-043761-043-1030ND
2016-05-113761-022-1045ND
2016-05-113761-015-1015ND
2016-05-113761-026-1125ND
2016-05-183761-030-1100ND
2016-05-183761-029-1030ND
2016-06-083761-044-0945ND
2016-06-083761-024-1015ND
2016-06-153761-017-1125ND
2016-06-153761-046-1045ND
2016-06-153761-033-0000ND
2016-06-153761-018-1150ND
2016-06-293761-040-1130ND
2016-07-133761-025-0930ND
2016-07-133761-020-1200ND
2016-07-133761-010-1115ND
2016-07-203761-039-1110ND
2016-07-213761-031-1025ND
2016-07-273761-027-1015ND
2016-08-173761-060-1140ND
2016-08-173761-034-0950ND
2016-08-173761-038-1100ND
2016-09-073761-032-0930ND
2016-09-073761-047-1010ND
2016-09-073761-028-1100ND
2016-09-293761-045-0925ND
2016-09-293761-019-0935ND
2016-11-169590-060-1030ND
2017-02-223761-060-1110ND
2018-01-193761-033-1110ND
2018-01-193761-040-0750ND
2018-08-153761-034-0645ND
2019-05-244790-060-1345ND
2019-05-244790-043-0930ND
2019-05-244790-031-0730ND
2019-05-244790-030-0955ND
2019-05-244790-029-1410ND
2019-06-194790-033-1430ND
2019-06-194790-044-1150ND
2019-06-194790-026-1300ND
2019-06-194790-046-1110ND
2019-07-104790-040-0950ND
2019-07-244790-039-0730ND
2019-07-244790-025-1000ND
2019-07-244790-031-1030ND
2019-07-254790-024-0200ND
2019-08-064790-038-1020ND
2019-08-064790-034-0745ND
2019-08-294790-047-0740ND
2019-08-294790-045-0940ND
2019-08-294790-032-1105ND
2019-08-294790-019-1025ND
2019-09-244790-037-0740ND
2019-10-174790-027-0645ND