Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Styrene

Eielson - Air Force Base

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.

 

30

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018ND10ND
2019ND50ND
2020ND60ND
2021ND60ND
2022ND60ND
2023ND60ND

ppb = parts per billion

State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water

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
2018-02-05VO*1189052001ND
2019-01-221199022001ND
2019-01-221199022002ND
2019-01-221199022004ND
2019-01-221199022005ND
2019-01-221199022003ND
2020-02-041209040005ND
2020-02-041209040002ND
2020-02-041209040001ND
2020-02-041209040003ND
2020-02-041209040006ND
2020-02-041209040004ND
2021-02-014827993ND
2021-02-014827984ND
2021-02-014827988ND
2021-02-014827989ND
2021-02-014827987ND
2021-02-014827990ND
2022-02-091220584012ND
2022-02-091220584010ND
2022-02-091220584005ND
2022-02-091220584006ND
2022-02-091220584008ND
2022-02-091220584004ND
2023-07-17810-70364-B-5ND
2023-07-17810-70364-A-2ND
2023-07-17810-70364-B-6ND
2023-07-17810-70364-B-4ND
2023-07-17810-70364-A-1ND
2023-07-17810-70364-A-3ND