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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Styrene

Yuima Municipal Water District Ida

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

 

50

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND90ND
2015ND50ND
2016ND70ND
2017ND180ND
2018ND50ND
2019ND60ND

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
2014-01-142706-012-0820ND
2014-04-082706-044-0900ND
2014-04-082706-012-1250ND
2014-07-082706-043-0855ND
2014-07-082706-031-1030ND
2014-07-082706-012-1000ND
2014-07-082706-006-1040ND
2014-08-122706-045-1050ND
2014-10-142706-012-1045ND
2015-01-132706-012-0850ND
2015-04-142706-012-0945ND
2015-07-142706-005-1150ND
2015-07-142706-012-1030ND
2015-10-222706-012-1052ND
2016-01-122706-012-0815ND
2016-03-102706-048-1130ND
2016-04-122706-012-1100ND
2016-07-122706-012-0830ND
2016-10-112706-012-1015ND
2016-10-142706-048-1100ND
2016-12-132706-048-1050ND
2017-01-102706-012-1130ND
2017-04-112706-012-1040ND
2017-05-092706-048-1040ND
2017-05-092706-037-1050ND
2017-06-132706-029-1045ND
2017-07-112706-011-0945ND
2017-07-112706-006-1045ND
2017-07-112706-048-0815ND
2017-07-112706-004-0845ND
2017-07-112706-047-0915ND
2017-07-112706-032-0845ND
2017-07-112706-033-0840ND
2017-07-112706-020-0745ND
2017-07-112706-031-1125ND
2017-07-112706-028-1140ND
2017-08-082706-012-0915ND
2017-09-122706-007-0912ND
2017-10-102706-012-1105ND
2018-01-092706-012-0920ND
2018-04-102706-012-0800ND
2018-07-102706-012-0800ND
2018-07-102706-005-0830ND
2018-10-092706-012-1105ND
2019-01-082706-012-0815ND
2019-04-092706-042-0815ND
2019-04-092706-012-1125ND
2019-06-112706-041-0800ND
2019-07-092706-012-0845ND
2019-10-082706-012-0900ND