Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Styrene

Springville Water Works

NOTE: Springville Water Works purchases water from Coosa Valley Water Supply District which is required to test for styrene. Sample information shown below was taken by Coosa Valley Water Supply District.

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.

 

6

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018ND40ND
2019ND40ND
2020ND40ND
2021ND40ND
2022ND40ND
2023ND40ND

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

NOTE: Springville Water Works purchases water from Coosa Valley Water Supply District which is required to test for styrene. Sample information shown below was taken by Coosa Valley Water Supply District.

Date Lab ID Result
2018-02-19180219026-1ND
2019-02-2019020651-001AND
2020-02-1920143247001_IVOCND
2021-02-1735612499001_IVOCND
2022-02-2335699198001_IVOCND
2023-10-112310-00220-003ND