Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Toluene

Middletown Water Department

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.

 

13

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018ND20ND
2019ND20ND
2020ND20ND
2021ND30ND
2022ND20ND
2023ND20ND

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
2018-03-28VOC1 200490770ND
2018-04-16VOC1 200492154ND
2019-05-13VOC1 200531893ND
2019-05-21VOC1 200533083ND
2020-05-06VOC1 200574723ND
2020-05-14VOC1 200575833ND
2021-03-03VOC1 200612185ND
2021-03-30VOC1 200612183ND
2021-03-30VOC1 200612184ND
2022-05-11V300182524 300182531ND
2022-05-11V300182526 300182544ND
2023-06-23V300370771 300370772ND
2023-06-23V300370773 300370774ND