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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Toluene

New Design - Frederick County

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.

 

15

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND20ND
2015ND20ND
2016ND20ND
2017ND20ND
2018ND30ND
2019ND40ND

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
2014-04-010100030_04_10797ND
2014-05-270100030_01_05176ND
2015-04-01E15003102001ND
2015-09-10E16001042006ND
2016-04-272140220007ND
2016-06-06E16004621004ND
2017-04-05E17003943008ND
2017-04-052221226006ND
2018-04-12E18003685006ND
2018-05-15AP06061ND
2018-06-26E18004642001ND
2019-04-11AQ05230ND
2019-05-07E19003760006ND
2019-08-21E20000723001ND
2019-12-06AQ17566ND