Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Xylenes (total)

North Slope Borough - Point Lay

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.

 

9

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
201810.5 ppb1110.5 ppb
201925.3 ppb448.80 ppb - 44.0 ppb
20207.40 ppb117.40 ppb
202138.0 ppb1138.0 ppb
202214.0 ppb1114.0 ppb
20235.20 ppb115.20 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
2018-06-27VO*397881010.5 ppb
2019-03-27424173144.0 ppb
2019-06-1343301358.80 ppb
2019-08-13438947439.0 ppb
2019-11-0544798389.50 ppb
2020-01-2145462227.40 ppb
2021-12-07810-9815-138.0 ppb
2022-07-06810-30146-1V14.0 ppb
2023-08-09810-74539-A-15.20 ppb