Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Styrene

Ardmore Water System

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
2018ND40ND
2019ND60ND
2020ND40ND
2021ND40ND
2022ND80ND
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

Date Lab ID Result
2018-01-23180123034-1ND
2018-04-12180412042-1ND
2018-08-1618080527-001ND
2018-10-1718100516-001ND
2019-01-2419010620-001AND
2019-01-2419010620-002AND
2019-03-1219030331-001ND
2019-05-2920105746001ND
2019-07-3020114807001ND
2019-10-2920128012001ND
2020-02-2820144376001-1ND
2020-06-1620158950001ND
2020-08-1320167221001ND
2020-10-2920177729001ND
2021-03-0435616404001ND
2021-06-1635640935001ND
2021-09-1735664186001ND
2021-11-2335679859001_IVOCND
2022-02-2835700052001_IVOCND
2022-02-2835700053001_IVOCND
2022-02-2835700053002_IVOCND
2022-05-2335719552001A_IVOCND
2022-05-2335719552001_IVOCND
2022-08-1235738848001A_IVOCND
2022-08-1235738848001_IVOCND
2022-11-2835762249001_IVOCND
2023-02-2735782140001_IVOCND
2023-05-0435797074001_IVOCND
2023-08-1835821732001_IVOCND
2023-10-2035836005001_IVOCND