Toluene

Southwest Alabama Water Authority

Toluene is a volatile solvent that harms the nervous and immune systems, damages the liver and may increase the risk of miscarriage and birth defects. Read More.

Toluene is a petroleum-derived chemical found in gasoline and used as a solvent in paints, adhesives and cleaning supplies. Toluene is highly neurotoxic. Exposure can cause fatigue and nausea, and may lead to nervous system disorders.

MORE ABOUT THIS CONTAMINANT

Samples

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

Year	Average result	Samples taken	Range of results
2014	N/A	0	N/A
2015	N/A	0	N/A
2016	ND	5	ND
2017	N/A	0	N/A
2018	ND	9	ND
2019	ND	13	ND

ppb = parts per billion

State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines

EWG Health Guideline 150 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 150 ppb for toluene 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 internal organs.

EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) 1,000 ppb

The legal limit for toluene, established in 1991, was based on a toxicity study in laboratory animals conducted in the 1980s.

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

Date	Lab ID	Result
2016-01-12	AB09762	ND
2016-01-13	AB09761	ND
2016-01-13	AB09759	ND
2016-01-13	AB09760	ND
2016-12-19	16L0361-1V	ND
2018-01-10	AB25037	ND
2018-01-10	AB25036	ND
2018-04-09	AB26320	ND
2018-04-09	AB26319	ND
2018-08-07	AB29108	ND
2018-08-07	AB29109	ND
2018-08-07	AB29110	ND
2018-08-07	AB29111	ND
2018-10-11	AB30932	ND
2019-01-14	AB32581	ND
2019-01-14	AB32580	ND
2019-05-13	AB35067	ND
2019-05-13	AB35069	ND
2019-05-13	AB35068	ND
2019-05-13	AB35065	ND
2019-05-13	AB35063	ND
2019-05-13	AB35061	ND
2019-08-12	AB37569	ND
2019-08-12	AB37568	ND
2019-08-12	AB37567	ND
2019-12-11	AB40592	ND
2019-12-11	AB40593	ND