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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Styrene

California Water Service (CWS) - Los Altos Suburban

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

 

76

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
2014ND150ND
2015ND150ND
2016ND70ND
2017ND110ND
2018ND130ND
2019ND150ND

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
2014-02-055701-024-1427ND
2014-02-265701-002-1423ND
2014-02-265701-010-1456ND
2014-02-265701-018-1055ND
2014-03-255701-030-1555ND
2014-03-255701-011-1305ND
2014-03-255701-028-1530ND
2014-04-225701-022-1238ND
2014-04-225701-020-1340ND
2014-04-225701-021-1140ND
2014-06-245701-028-0945ND
2014-07-225701-024-0923ND
2014-09-245701-028-1050ND
2014-10-215701-024-1545ND
2014-12-165701-028-1230ND
2015-01-215701-024-0905ND
2015-02-185701-018-1315ND
2015-02-185701-016-0950ND
2015-02-185701-002-1340ND
2015-02-185701-013-1145ND
2015-03-185701-028-1100ND
2015-04-215701-024-1025ND
2015-06-165701-028-1117ND
2015-07-205701-029-1125ND
2015-07-205701-024-1145ND
2015-08-245701-023-1130ND
2015-09-225701-057-1130ND
2015-09-225701-028-1100ND
2015-12-105701-008-1525ND
2015-12-175701-028-1115ND
2016-03-215701-028-0952ND
2016-06-015701-028-1014ND
2016-07-265701-037-1320ND
2016-09-215701-032-1146ND
2016-09-215701-035-1130ND
2016-09-215701-028-1046ND
2016-12-135810-028-1140ND
2017-01-185701-010-1045ND
2017-01-185701-011-1123ND
2017-02-145701-021-1624ND
2017-02-145701-020-1546ND
2017-03-065701-022-1038ND
2017-03-155701-028-1234ND
2017-03-155701-030-1245ND
2017-06-265701-028-1420ND
2017-08-235701-022-1315ND
2017-09-265701-028-1430ND
2017-12-135701-028-1520ND
2018-02-205701-013-1225ND
2018-02-205701-018-1215ND
2018-03-215701-016-1245ND
2018-03-215701-028-1350ND
2018-05-085701-023-1310ND
2018-06-215701-028-1131ND
2018-06-215701-024-0930ND
2018-07-185701-029-0900ND
2018-09-185701-057-1305ND
2018-09-245701-028-1200ND
2018-12-129590-002-1400ND
2018-12-125810-008-1117ND
2018-12-125810-028-1535ND
2019-02-205701-002-1245ND
2019-03-195810-028-1400ND
2019-06-185701-028-1510ND
2019-07-115701-024-1130ND
2019-07-245701-024-1800ND
2019-07-295701-024-1530ND
2019-08-065701-024-1145ND
2019-08-135701-024-1125ND
2019-08-195701-024-1325ND
2019-08-205810-037-1115ND
2019-08-265810-024-1355ND
2019-09-175701-035-1540ND
2019-09-175701-032-1530ND
2019-09-175701-028-1520ND
2019-12-165701-028-1330ND