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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Toluene

Waldorf

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.

 

16

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
2014ND10ND
2015ND10ND
2016ND80ND
2017ND10ND
2018N/A00N/A
2019ND50ND

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
2014-06-120080049_14_05416ND
2015-08-19E16000687001ND
2016-05-24E16004456001ND
2016-05-24E16004461001ND
2016-05-24E16004451001ND
2016-08-10E17000586003ND
2016-08-2427608_000001ND
2016-10-24E17001823005ND
2016-10-24E17001823007ND
2016-10-24E17001823001ND
2017-06-28E17005216006ND
2019-04-043026085001ND
2019-04-19E19003516004ND
2019-06-13E19004319004ND
2019-06-14E19004334001ND
2019-10-08E20001383001ND