Menu

EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

Donate

Styrene

Western MWD (Arlington)

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

 

61

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND70ND
2015ND100ND
2016ND130ND
2017ND70ND
2018ND210ND
2019ND30ND

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
2014-01-064790-009-1130ND
2014-02-034790-008-1130ND
2014-02-034790-007-1115ND
2014-05-054790-009-1345ND
2014-05-054790-008-1115ND
2014-05-124790-007-1000ND
2014-08-054790-007-1400ND
2015-02-094790-009-1130ND
2015-02-094790-008-0945ND
2015-02-094790-007-0930ND
2015-02-184790-009-1400ND
2015-05-044790-008-1450ND
2015-05-044790-007-1350ND
2015-08-044790-007-1310ND
2015-08-044790-008-1320ND
2015-11-024790-007-1250ND
2015-11-024790-008-1240ND
2016-02-124790-009-1030ND
2016-02-134790-001-0930ND
2016-02-134790-005-1030ND
2016-02-134790-004-1010ND
2016-02-134790-003-0950ND
2016-03-294790-002-0705ND
2016-05-024790-007-1120ND
2016-05-024790-008-1140ND
2016-08-014790-008-0945ND
2016-08-014790-007-0930ND
2016-11-014790-009-1120ND
2016-11-014790-007-0900ND
2016-11-014790-008-0930ND
2017-02-064790-009-1030ND
2017-05-014790-007-1252ND
2017-05-014790-008-1441ND
2017-08-014790-007-1005ND
2017-08-014790-008-1110ND
2017-11-074790-007-0845ND
2017-11-074790-008-0900ND
2018-02-214790-007-1100ND
2018-02-214790-008-1200ND
2018-02-214790-009-0900ND
2018-02-274790-001-1130ND
2018-02-274790-002-1145ND
2018-02-274790-003-1200ND
2018-02-274790-004-1215ND
2018-02-274790-005-1230ND
2018-05-144790-008-1055ND
2018-05-144790-007-1010ND
2018-05-294790-007-1450ND
2018-05-294790-005-1605ND
2018-05-294790-004-1555ND
2018-05-294790-003-1545ND
2018-05-294790-002-1535ND
2018-05-294790-001-1525ND
2018-06-044790-009-1130ND
2018-08-284790-008-0930ND
2018-08-294790-007-1300ND
2018-11-054790-007-1000ND
2018-11-054790-008-1100ND
2019-03-044790-008-1250ND
2019-03-044790-009-1235ND
2019-03-044790-007-1315ND