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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Styrene

Crescenta Valley CWD

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.

MORE ABOUT THIS CONTAMINANT

 

64

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2013N/A00N/A
2014ND110ND
2015ND110ND
2016ND160ND
2017ND130ND
2018ND20ND
2019ND110ND

ppb = parts per billion

State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines

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
2014-08-055806-013-1156ND
2014-08-055806-012-1245ND
2014-08-055806-001-1130ND
2014-08-055806-011-0950ND
2014-08-055806-010-1340ND
2014-08-055806-009-1030ND
2014-08-055806-002-1056ND
2014-08-055806-007-1030ND
2014-08-055806-006-1320ND
2014-08-055806-005-1135ND
2014-09-165806-008-0908ND
2015-05-055806-012-1318ND
2015-05-055806-008-1243ND
2015-05-055806-013-1255ND
2015-05-055806-010-1319ND
2015-05-055806-011-1101ND
2015-05-055806-009-1028ND
2015-05-055806-007-1128ND
2015-05-055806-006-1302ND
2015-05-055806-005-1215ND
2015-05-055806-002-1157ND
2015-05-055806-001-1120ND
2016-02-115806-027-0940ND
2016-05-035806-027-1215ND
2016-05-035806-013-1240ND
2016-05-035806-011-1150ND
2016-05-035806-010-1301ND
2016-05-035806-001-1048ND
2016-05-035806-009-1101ND
2016-05-035806-002-1225ND
2016-05-035806-005-1210ND
2016-05-035806-006-1323ND
2016-05-035806-008-1300ND
2016-05-035806-007-1110ND
2016-05-045806-027-1302ND
2016-06-075806-012-1110ND
2016-08-025806-027-0858ND
2016-11-085806-027-1120ND
2017-02-215806-007-1030ND
2017-02-215806-001-1125ND
2017-02-215806-002-1125ND
2017-02-215806-005-1100ND
2017-02-215806-006-1308ND
2017-02-215806-027-0914ND
2017-02-215806-011-1145ND
2017-02-215806-009-1013ND
2017-02-215806-010-1250ND
2017-02-215806-013-0941ND
2017-02-215806-012-1245ND
2017-04-245806-006-1333ND
2017-07-265806-008-0800ND
2018-02-065806-010-1248ND
2018-05-015806-008-1130ND
2019-02-125806-012-1225ND
2019-02-125806-011-0841ND
2019-02-125806-027-1205ND
2019-02-125806-007-1005ND
2019-02-125806-005-1015ND
2019-02-125806-008-1150ND
2019-02-125806-010-1215ND
2019-02-125806-002-0950ND
2019-02-125806-009-0854ND
2019-02-125806-001-1021ND
2019-02-125806-013-1130ND