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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Styrene

Sikeston

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

 

76

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
2014ND130ND
2015ND160ND
2016ND160ND
2017ND150ND
2018ND80ND
2019ND80ND

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
2014-01-29AC17634ND
2014-01-29AC17633ND
2014-01-29AC17636ND
2014-04-21AC22477ND
2014-04-21AC22479ND
2014-04-21AC22480ND
2014-07-22AC30040ND
2014-07-22AC30041ND
2014-07-22AC30042ND
2014-10-28AC37294ND
2014-10-28AC37777ND
2014-10-28AC37295ND
2014-10-28AC37293ND
2015-01-30AC41347ND
2015-01-30AC41346ND
2015-01-30AC41349ND
2015-01-30AC41348ND
2015-04-27AC45764ND
2015-04-27AC45763ND
2015-04-27AC45765ND
2015-04-27AC45762ND
2015-07-30AC55436ND
2015-07-30AC55435ND
2015-07-30AC55434ND
2015-07-30AC55433ND
2015-10-28AC61962ND
2015-10-28AC61961ND
2015-10-28AC61963ND
2015-10-28AC61960ND
2016-01-29AC65733ND
2016-01-29AC65731ND
2016-01-29AC65734ND
2016-01-29AC65732ND
2016-04-12AC70028ND
2016-04-12AC70027ND
2016-04-12AC70026ND
2016-04-12AC70025ND
2016-08-01AC80723ND
2016-08-01AC80726ND
2016-08-01AC80724ND
2016-08-01AC80725ND
2016-10-21AC85970ND
2016-10-21AC85972ND
2016-10-21AC85973ND
2016-10-21AC85971ND
2017-01-20AC89848ND
2017-01-20AC89850ND
2017-01-20AC89849ND
2017-01-20AC89847ND
2017-04-25AC95097ND
2017-04-25AC95095ND
2017-04-25AC95096ND
2017-04-25AC95098ND
2017-07-24AD02399ND
2017-07-24AD02400ND
2017-07-24AD02401ND
2017-07-25AD02398ND
2017-10-23AD08602ND
2017-10-23AD08600ND
2017-10-23AD08601ND
2018-01-22AD12072ND
2018-01-22AD12073ND
2018-05-29AD18686ND
2018-05-29AD18687ND
2018-07-12AD29603ND
2018-07-12AD29604ND
2018-10-11AD35082ND
2018-10-11AD35080ND
2019-01-15AD38394ND
2019-01-15AD38395ND
2019-04-22AD46685ND
2019-04-25AD47296ND
2019-07-11AD52729ND
2019-07-11AD52732ND
2019-10-21AD57393ND
2019-10-21AD57396ND