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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Styrene

Burbank Water Department

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

 

74

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND150ND
2015ND160ND
2016ND70ND
2017ND140ND
2018ND140ND
2019ND80ND

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
2014-01-159590-053-1445ND
2014-02-109590-053-1058ND
2014-03-069590-053-1133ND
2014-03-219590-053-1820ND
2014-04-109590-053-1340ND
2014-04-119590-053-1805ND
2014-04-179590-053-0815ND
2014-04-239590-053-1035ND
2014-05-019590-053-1324ND
2014-05-079590-053-1451ND
2014-06-109590-053-1710ND
2014-08-069590-053-1824ND
2014-08-219590-053-1245ND
2014-10-109590-053-1355ND
2014-12-059590-053-1006ND
2015-01-089590-053-1533ND
2015-01-269590-053-1138ND
2015-01-309590-053-1405ND
2015-02-139590-053-0814ND
2015-02-209590-053-1235ND
2015-02-269590-053-1250ND
2015-04-159590-053-1410ND
2015-05-149590-053-1545ND
2015-05-219590-053-1650ND
2015-05-299590-053-1804ND
2015-06-179590-053-1710ND
2015-08-279590-053-0846ND
2015-09-039590-053-0814ND
2015-09-189590-053-1050ND
2015-10-229590-053-1725ND
2015-11-139590-053-1251ND
2016-02-119590-053-1415ND
2016-03-109590-053-1500ND
2016-05-059590-053-1105ND
2016-07-139590-053-1716ND
2016-10-269590-053-1058ND
2016-11-029590-053-1700ND
2016-11-209590-053-0823ND
2017-03-089588-053-1610ND
2017-03-259588-053-1211ND
2017-05-029588-053-1511ND
2017-05-139588-053-0725ND
2017-06-019588-053-1109ND
2017-06-239588-053-1248ND
2017-08-189588-053-1215ND
2017-09-069588-053-1452ND
2017-09-079588-053-1130ND
2017-09-139588-053-1016ND
2017-09-209588-053-1623ND
2017-11-089588-053-1109ND
2017-12-139588-053-1040ND
2017-12-289588-053-1130ND
2018-01-249588-053-1710ND
2018-02-019588-053-1148ND
2018-02-079588-053-1336ND
2018-02-169588-053-1520ND
2018-04-059588-053-1257ND
2018-04-169588-053-1123ND
2018-06-289588-053-1111ND
2018-07-189588-053-1135ND
2018-08-039588-053-1444ND
2018-08-299588-053-0812ND
2018-09-069588-053-0820ND
2018-09-149588-053-1300ND
2018-09-259588-053-1346ND
2018-10-129588-053-0823ND
2019-01-179588-053-1505ND
2019-05-309588-053-1200ND
2019-06-149590-053-1127ND
2019-07-119590-053-1527ND
2019-07-189590-053-1334ND
2019-07-259590-053-1100ND
2019-10-049590-053-1200ND
2019-11-279588-053-1320ND