Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Xylenes (total)

North Slope Borough - Nuiqsut

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
20185.30 ppb115.30 ppb
20199.50 ppb119.50 ppb
20206.70 ppb116.70 ppb
20216.20 ppb116.20 ppb
20229.20 ppb119.20 ppb
20237.60 ppb117.60 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
2018-11-06VO*41162115.30 ppb
2019-02-1842067039.50 ppb
2020-12-0147897146.70 ppb
2021-12-07810-9820-16.20 ppb
2022-02-01810-14281-1V9.20 ppb
2023-12-31810-90169-B-37.60 ppb