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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Toluene

Sulphur Water System

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.

 

36

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND120ND
2015ND20ND
2016N/A00N/A
2017ND120ND
2018N/A00N/A
2019ND100ND

ppb = parts per billion

State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines

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
2014-07-21AD93897ND
2014-07-21AD93894ND
2014-07-21AD93897ND
2014-07-21AD93896ND
2014-07-21AD93895ND
2014-07-21AD93894ND
2014-07-21AD93895ND
2014-07-21AD93896ND
2014-10-06AD98325ND
2014-10-06AD98326ND
2014-10-06AD98325ND
2014-10-06AD98326ND
2015-03-0235177665003ND
2015-03-0235177665003ND
2017-07-1735324418005ND
2017-07-1735324418001ND
2017-07-1735324418004ND
2017-07-1735324418003ND
2017-07-1735324418002ND
2017-07-1735324418001ND
2017-07-1735324418005ND
2017-07-1735324418004ND
2017-07-1735324418003ND
2017-07-1735324418002ND
2017-09-1935337316003ND
2017-09-1935337316003ND
2019-07-0835480758001ND
2019-07-0835480758001ND
2019-12-0935518078001ND
2019-12-0935518078004ND
2019-12-0935518078003ND
2019-12-0935518078002ND
2019-12-0935518078001ND
2019-12-0935518078004ND
2019-12-0935518078003ND
2019-12-0935518078002ND