Toluene

City of Baltimore

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.

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Samples

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

Year	Average result	Samples taken	Range of results
2014	ND	3	ND
2015	N/A	0	N/A
2016	ND	3	ND
2017	ND	1	ND
2018	ND	5	ND
2019	ND	5	ND

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
2014-02-04	0300002_01_TREAT	ND
2014-02-11	0300002_02_TREAT	ND
2014-02-12	0300002_02_TREAT	ND
2016-05-05	0300002_TREATED_	ND
2016-05-10	0300002_TREATED_	ND
2016-05-16	0300002_TREATEDT	ND
2017-04-06	TREATED_A	ND
2018-02-14	E18002961001	ND
2018-05-14	E18004097001	ND
2018-05-14	E18004097004	ND
2018-09-17	E19000965008	ND
2018-10-25	E19001402004	ND
2019-05-09	MONT13033376	ND
2019-05-09	MONT23033376	ND
2019-05-10	ASH3033376	ND
2019-05-21	E19003945012	ND
2019-07-31	E20000429004	ND