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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Xylenes (total)

Bellingham Dpw Water Sewer Div.

Xylenes are solvents used in industrial and consumer products, such as cleaning agents and paint thinners. Xylenes cause nervous system damage and may harm developing fetuses.

 

51

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2013N/A00N/A
2014ND120ND
20150.0550 ppb121ND - 0.660 ppb
2016N/A00N/A
2017ND110ND
2018ND50ND
2019ND110ND

ppb = parts per billion

State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines

EWG Health Guideline 1,800 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 1,800 ppb for xylenes 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 the brain and nervous system.

EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) 10,000 ppb

The legal limit for xylenes, established in 1991, was based on a toxicity study in laboratory animals conducted in the 1980s. This limit may not fully protect against harm to the brain and nervous system due to xylene exposure.

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

Date Result
2014-05-19ND
2014-05-19ND
2014-05-19ND
2014-05-19ND
2014-05-19ND
2014-05-19ND
2014-05-21ND
2014-05-21ND
2014-06-16ND
2014-06-16ND
2014-06-16ND
2014-06-16ND
2015-06-15ND
2015-06-15ND
2015-06-15ND
2015-06-15ND
2015-06-15ND
2015-06-15ND
2015-06-15ND
2015-06-15ND
2015-06-15ND
2015-06-29ND
2015-06-290.660 ppb
2015-06-29ND
2017-05-15ND
2017-05-15ND
2017-05-15ND
2017-05-15ND
2017-05-15ND
2017-05-15ND
2017-05-15ND
2017-05-15ND
2017-05-15ND
2017-05-15ND
2017-09-18ND
2018-05-31ND
2018-05-31ND
2018-09-17ND
2018-12-17ND
2018-12-17ND
2019-03-11ND
2019-04-26ND
2019-04-26ND
2019-04-26ND
2019-04-26ND
2019-04-26ND
2019-04-26ND
2019-04-26ND
2019-04-26ND
2019-04-26ND
2019-04-26ND