Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Toluene

Metropolitan District Commission

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.

 

18

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018ND30ND
2019ND30ND
2020ND30ND
2021ND30ND
2022ND30ND
2023ND30ND

ppb = parts per billion

State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water

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
2018-07-16AE00927GEND
2018-07-16AE00912GEND
2018-07-16AE00911GEND
2019-06-05AE29314GEND
2019-06-05AE29313GEND
2019-06-05AE29315GEND
2020-06-02AE59301GEND
2020-06-02AE59305GEND
2020-06-02AE59302GEND
2021-11-23V300107450 300107457ND
2021-11-23V300107451 300107463ND
2021-11-29V300109635 300109637ND
2022-12-15V300287053 300287060ND
2022-12-15V300287072 300287079ND
2022-12-15V300287100 300287107ND
2023-12-06V300456527 300456529ND
2023-12-06V300456525 300456531ND
2023-12-06V300456533 300456535ND