Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Xylenes (total)

North Slope Borough - Kaktovik (Barter Island)

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.

 

6

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
20183.10 ppb113.10 ppb
20190.500 ppb110.500 ppb
202067.0 ppb1167.0 ppb
202131.0 ppb1131.0 ppb
202245.0 ppb1145.0 ppb
202332.0 ppb1132.0 ppb

ppb = parts per billion

State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water

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
2018-10-10VO*40949573.10 ppb
2019-12-0345045800.500 ppb
2020-12-08479361567.0 ppb
2021-12-07810-9818-131.0 ppb
2022-12-26810-48768-A-145.0 ppb
2023-12-06810-87509-D-132.0 ppb