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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Styrene

City of Broussard Highway 90 Water System

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

 

50

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND240ND
2015ND40ND
2016ND120ND
2017ND60ND
2018ND40ND
2019N/A00N/A

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
2014-02-17AD89082ND
2014-02-17AD89082ND
2014-03-24AD89953ND
2014-03-24AD89952ND
2014-03-24AD89953ND
2014-03-24AD89952ND
2014-05-05AD91181ND
2014-05-05AD91179ND
2014-05-05AD91180ND
2014-05-05AD91181ND
2014-05-05AD91180ND
2014-05-05AD91179ND
2014-09-15AD96936ND
2014-09-15AD96937ND
2014-09-15AD96938ND
2014-09-15AD96936ND
2014-09-15AD96937ND
2014-09-15AD96938ND
2014-11-17AD99809ND
2014-11-17AD99810ND
2014-11-17AD99811ND
2014-11-17AD99809ND
2014-11-17AD99810ND
2014-11-17AD99811ND
2015-11-3035218949002ND
2015-11-3035218949001ND
2015-11-3035218949002ND
2015-11-3035218949001ND
2016-06-0735248530008ND
2016-06-0735248530006ND
2016-06-0735248530007ND
2016-06-0735248530006ND
2016-06-0735248530007ND
2016-06-0735248530008ND
2016-11-0135274958005ND
2016-11-0135274958005ND
2016-11-0135274958004ND
2016-11-0135274958003ND
2016-11-0135274958003ND
2016-11-0135274958004ND
2017-03-0335299127005ND
2017-03-0335299127004ND
2017-03-0335299127003ND
2017-03-0335299127003ND
2017-03-0335299127004ND
2017-03-0335299127005ND
2018-06-1235398353001ND
2018-06-1235398353002ND
2018-06-1235398353001ND
2018-06-1235398353002ND