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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Styrene

Chaffee PWS

Styrene is a volatile cancer-causing chemical used for manufacturing Styrofoam (polystyrene) and other plastics. Releases from industrial production sites and hazardous waste landfills cause styrene contamination in drinking water. Read More.

In addition to increasing the risk of cancer, styrene can also damage the liver and the nervous system. California set a public health goal for styrene in drinking water at 0.5 parts per billion. The federal Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) allows up to 100 parts per billion of styrene in water, which is 200 times more than the California recommended level.

Click here to read more about carcinogenic VOCs.

MORE ABOUT THIS CONTAMINANT

 

49

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND120ND
2015ND90ND
2016ND120ND
2017ND80ND
2018ND40ND
2019ND40ND

ppb = parts per billion

State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines

EWG Health Guideline 0.5 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.5 ppb for styrene 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 cancer.

EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) 100 ppb

The legal limit for styrene, established in 1991, was based on a toxicity study in laboratory animals conducted in the 1970s. This limit may not fully protect against the risk of cancer due to styrene exposure.

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

Date Lab ID Result
2014-01-28AC17614ND
2014-01-28AC17615ND
2014-01-28AC17613ND
2014-04-21AC22456ND
2014-04-21AC22457ND
2014-04-21AC22458ND
2014-07-21AC30020ND
2014-07-21AC30021ND
2014-07-21AC30022ND
2014-11-06AC39176ND
2014-11-16AC39267ND
2014-11-16AC39268ND
2015-04-28AC45743ND
2015-04-28AC45742ND
2015-04-28AC45741ND
2015-08-03AC58304ND
2015-08-03AC58305ND
2015-08-03AC58306ND
2015-10-28AC61941ND
2015-10-28AC61943ND
2015-10-28AC61942ND
2016-01-29AC65712ND
2016-01-29AC65711ND
2016-01-29AC65710ND
2016-04-26AC70002ND
2016-04-26AC70003ND
2016-04-26AC70001ND
2016-08-01AC80701ND
2016-08-01AC80699ND
2016-08-01AC80700ND
2016-10-25AC85946ND
2016-10-25AC85947ND
2016-10-25AC85948ND
2017-01-19AC89827ND
2017-01-19AC89826ND
2017-01-19AC89825ND
2017-04-24AC95073ND
2017-04-24AC95072ND
2017-04-24AC95071ND
2017-07-17AD02378ND
2017-10-23AD08579ND
2018-01-10AD12050ND
2018-05-06AD18663ND
2018-07-16AD29540ND
2018-10-15AD35060ND
2019-01-09AD38372ND
2019-04-08AD46663ND
2019-07-10AD52709ND
2019-10-20AD57371ND