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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Styrene

City of Lake Charles Water System

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

 

100

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014N/A00N/A
2015ND320ND
2016N/A00N/A
2017ND60ND
2018ND280ND
2019ND340ND

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
2015-03-2335180731005ND
2015-03-2335180731004ND
2015-03-2335180731003ND
2015-03-2335180731002ND
2015-03-2335180731001ND
2015-03-2335180731005ND
2015-03-2335180731004ND
2015-03-2335180731003ND
2015-03-2335180731002ND
2015-03-2335180731001ND
2015-07-2735199384001ND
2015-07-2735199384004ND
2015-07-2735199384002ND
2015-07-2735199384003ND
2015-07-2735199384005ND
2015-07-2735199384004ND
2015-07-2735199384003ND
2015-07-2735199384002ND
2015-07-2735199384001ND
2015-07-2735199384005ND
2015-08-1035201689002ND
2015-08-1035201689001ND
2015-08-1035201689003ND
2015-08-1035201689004ND
2015-08-1035201689005ND
2015-08-1035201689005ND
2015-08-1035201689004ND
2015-08-1035201689003ND
2015-08-1035201689002ND
2015-08-1035201689001ND
2015-09-2135208328005ND
2015-09-2135208328005ND
2017-12-1835365007001ND
2017-12-1835365007002ND
2017-12-1835365007003ND
2017-12-1835365007001ND
2017-12-1835365007002ND
2017-12-1835365007003ND
2018-01-2235369992004ND
2018-01-2235369992001ND
2018-01-2235369992002ND
2018-01-2235369992003ND
2018-01-2235369992004ND
2018-01-2235369992001ND
2018-01-2235369992002ND
2018-01-2235369992003ND
2018-02-0535373000003ND
2018-02-0535373000001ND
2018-02-0535373000002ND
2018-02-0535373000001ND
2018-02-0535373000002ND
2018-02-0535373000003ND
2018-02-0535373000004ND
2018-02-0535373000005ND
2018-02-0535373000005ND
2018-02-0535373000004ND
2018-02-2635377533003ND
2018-02-2635377533002ND
2018-02-2635377533004ND
2018-02-2635377533003ND
2018-02-2635377533002ND
2018-02-2635377533001ND
2018-02-2635377533001ND
2018-02-2635377533004ND
2018-12-0435435398001ND
2018-12-0435435398001ND
2019-11-1835513723002ND
2019-11-1835513723005ND
2019-11-1835513723004ND
2019-11-1835513723003ND
2019-11-1835513723002ND
2019-11-1835513723001ND
2019-11-1835513723005ND
2019-11-1835513723004ND
2019-11-1835513723003ND
2019-11-1835513723001ND
2019-11-2035514464001ND
2019-11-2035514464002ND
2019-11-2035514464001ND
2019-11-2035514464002ND
2019-11-2035514464003ND
2019-11-2035514464004ND
2019-11-2035514464005ND
2019-11-2035514464003ND
2019-11-2035514464004ND
2019-11-2035514464005ND
2019-12-0235516198001ND
2019-12-0235516198006ND
2019-12-0235516198005ND
2019-12-0235516198004ND
2019-12-0235516198003ND
2019-12-0235516198002ND
2019-12-0235516198001ND
2019-12-0235516198006ND
2019-12-0235516198005ND
2019-12-0235516198004ND
2019-12-0235516198003ND
2019-12-0235516198002ND
2019-12-1835520212001ND
2019-12-1835520212001ND