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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Xylenes (total)

Oblates of St. Francis

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.

 

10

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND40ND
2015ND40ND
2016ND10ND
2017ND10ND
2018N/A00N/A
2019N/A00N/A

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 Lab ID Result
2014-02-251071359_01_03819ND
2014-04-041071359_01_04372ND
2014-07-111071359_01_00013ND
2014-11-031071359_01_00166ND
2015-01-151071359_01_00220ND
2015-05-14E15003550001ND
2015-07-01E16000018001ND
2015-10-01E16001420001ND
2016-03-23E16003505001ND
2017-06-09E17004877001ND