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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Toluene

California American Water Company - Antelope

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.

 

36

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
2014ND10ND
2015ND170ND
2016N/A00N/A
2017N/A00N/A
2018ND170ND
2019ND10ND

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
2014-08-121225-006-1230ND
2015-08-051225-003-1110ND
2015-08-051225-005-1222ND
2015-08-051225-006-0945ND
2015-08-101225-011-0855ND
2015-08-101225-014-1125ND
2015-08-101225-013-1021ND
2015-08-111225-002-1236ND
2015-08-111225-018-1145ND
2015-08-111225-004-1255ND
2015-08-111225-001-0915ND
2015-08-111225-007-0907ND
2015-08-111225-008-1014ND
2015-08-111225-009-1020ND
2015-08-121225-016-1050ND
2015-08-121225-010-0859ND
2015-08-131225-017-0909ND
2015-08-131225-012-1100ND
2018-08-071225-012-1030ND
2018-08-071225-010-1310ND
2018-08-071225-018-1210ND
2018-08-071225-011-1120ND
2018-08-071225-009-0900ND
2018-08-081225-016-1340ND
2018-08-081225-017-1010ND
2018-08-081225-002-0920ND
2018-08-091225-008-1020ND
2018-08-091225-007-1130ND
2018-08-141225-013-1220ND
2018-08-141225-014-1045ND
2018-08-141225-006-1000ND
2018-08-141225-004-0830ND
2018-08-141225-003-1130ND
2018-08-141225-040-1040ND
2018-09-131233-040-0845ND
2019-05-161225-001-1320ND