Ethylbenzene
CTWC - Shoreline Region-Guilford System
Ethylbenzene, a component of petroleum, is a volatile cancer-causing chemical primarily used for production of plastics and rubber. Ethylbenzene is also released from gasoline fuel emissions. Read More.
In animal studies, exposure to ethylbenzene causes tumors. Ethylbenzene can also damage lungs, liver, kidneys and the nervous system. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies ethylbenzene as “possibly carcinogenic to humans.”
Samples
Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)
Samples exceeding
health guidelines
Testing results - average by year
| Year | Average result | Samples taken | Detections | Range of results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | ND | 11 | 0 | ND |
| 2019 | ND | 10 | 0 | ND |
| 2020 | ND | 12 | 0 | ND |
| 2021 | ND | 11 | 0 | ND |
| 2022 | ND | 14 | 0 | ND |
| 2023 | ND | 10 | 0 | ND |
ppb = parts per billion
State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water
EWG Health Guideline: 300 ppb
The EWG Health Guideline of 300 ppb for ethylbenzene 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): 700 ppb
The legal limit for ethylbenzene, established in 1991, was based on a toxicity study in laboratory animals conducted in the 1950s.
ppb = parts per billion
All test results
| Date | Lab ID | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2018-01-16 | BZ73485VOC1 | ND |
| 2018-03-30 | CA11464VOC1 | ND |
| 2018-04-11 | CA18261VOC1 | ND |
| 2018-07-09 | CA85598VOC1 | ND |
| 2018-07-17 | CA91979 | ND |
| 2018-09-13 | VOC1 200505275 | ND |
| 2018-09-13 | VOC1 200505276 | ND |
| 2018-09-13 | VOC1 200505266 | ND |
| 2018-09-19 | VOC1 200506116 | ND |
| 2018-09-20 | VOC1 200506324 | ND |
| 2018-10-25 | VOC1 200510568 | ND |
| 2019-01-30 | VOC1 200520057 | ND |
| 2019-06-24 | VOC1 200538005 | ND |
| 2019-07-08 | VOC1 200541172 | ND |
| 2019-07-08 | VOC1 200539194 | ND |
| 2019-07-16 | VOC1 200541091 | ND |
| 2019-07-16 | VOC1 200540648 | ND |
| 2019-07-16 | VOC1 200540644 | ND |
| 2019-09-17 | VOC1 200549238 | ND |
| 2019-09-18 | VOC1 200549465 | ND |
| 2019-12-10 | VOC1 200559663 | ND |
| 2020-01-14 | VOC1 200562856 | ND |
| 2020-01-20 | VOC1 200563521 | ND |
| 2020-01-21 | VOC1 200563515 | ND |
| 2020-01-30 | VOC1 200564603 | ND |
| 2020-02-11 | VOC1 200565799 | ND |
| 2020-02-25 | VOC1 200567276 | ND |
| 2020-04-01 | VOC1 200571017 | ND |
| 2020-06-16 | VOC1 200579533 | ND |
| 2020-07-14 | VOC1 200582708 | ND |
| 2020-07-14 | VOC1 200582710 | ND |
| 2020-10-06 | VOC1 200592866 | ND |
| 2020-10-13 | VOC1 200593765 | ND |
| 2021-01-05 | VOC1 200602753 | ND |
| 2021-01-06 | VOC1 200602996 | ND |
| 2021-01-25 | VOC1 200604768 | ND |
| 2021-06-07 | VOC1 200621229 | ND |
| 2021-06-23 | VOC1 200622004 | ND |
| 2021-06-29 | VOC1 200622710 | ND |
| 2021-07-12 | VOC1 200624252 | ND |
| 2021-07-12 | VOC1 200624251 | ND |
| 2021-07-20 | VOC1 200625447 | ND |
| 2021-10-11 | V300077965 300077966 | ND |
| 2021-12-06 | V300113153 300113155 | ND |
| 2022-01-11 | CK14095 | ND |
| 2022-01-11 | CK14105 | ND |
| 2022-02-28 | CK76192 | ND |
| 2022-03-07 | CK80900 | ND |
| 2022-04-18 | CL11174 | ND |
| 2022-06-14 | CL56476 | ND |
| 2022-06-22 | CL62299 | ND |
| 2022-07-06 | CL71457 | ND |
| 2022-07-06 | CL71463 | ND |
| 2022-07-26 | CL89875 | ND |
| 2022-08-02 | CL95977 | ND |
| 2022-08-15 | CM05635 | ND |
| 2022-08-29 | CM17830 | ND |
| 2022-12-19 | CN08248 | ND |
| 2023-01-03 | CN16052 | ND |
| 2023-01-09 | CN19603 | ND |
| 2023-01-10 | CN20796 | ND |
| 2023-01-10 | CN20798 | ND |
| 2023-02-13 | CN41858 | ND |
| 2023-05-10 | CO03368 | ND |
| 2023-06-13 | CO27277 | ND |
| 2023-09-18 | CP02429 | ND |
| 2023-11-28 | CP55322 | ND |
| 2023-11-29 | CP56431 | ND |