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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Styrene

City of Gulfport

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

 

72

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

1

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2013N/A00N/A
2014ND140ND
2015ND130ND
2016ND100ND
20170.0975 ppb121ND - 1.17 ppb
2018ND120ND
2019ND110ND

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
2014-01-21140122-024VOND
2014-01-21140122-002VOND
2014-01-21140122-001VOND
2014-04-17140418-003VOND
2014-04-17140418-002VOND
2014-04-17140418-001VOND
2014-06-11140612-009VOND
2014-06-11140612-008VOND
2014-08-13140814-005VOND
2014-08-13140814-003VOND
2014-08-13140814-004VOND
2014-10-15141016-016VOND
2014-10-15141016-015VOND
2014-10-15141016-014VOND
2015-02-24150225-011VOND
2015-02-24150225-010VOND
2015-02-24150225-009VOND
2015-04-23150424-009VOND
2015-04-23150424-007VOND
2015-04-23150424-008VOND
2015-07-01150702-002VOND
2015-07-23150724-007VOND
2015-07-23150724-006VOND
2015-07-23150724-005VOND
2015-10-27151028-010VOND
2015-10-27151028-009VOND
2015-10-27151028-008VOND
2016-02-24160225-004VOND
2016-02-24160225-003VOND
2016-02-24160225-002VOND
2016-05-17160518-026VOND
2016-05-17160518-025VOND
2016-05-17160518-024VOND
2016-07-19160720-002VOND
2016-07-19160720-003VOND
2016-07-19160720-001VOND
2016-12-06161207-003VOND
2017-02-27170228-020VOND
2017-02-27170228-019VOND
2017-02-27170228-018VOND
2017-05-18170519-003VOND
2017-05-18170519-002VOND
2017-05-18170519-001VOND
2017-07-26170727-002VOND
2017-07-26170727-001VOND
2017-07-26170727-003VOND
2017-11-02171103-004VOND
2017-11-02171103-003VOND
2017-11-02171103-002VO1.17 ppb
2018-01-24180125-010VOND
2018-01-24180125-009VOND
2018-01-24180125-008VOND
2018-04-23180424-002VOND
2018-04-23180424-001VOND
2018-04-23180424-003VOND
2018-08-06180807-003VOND
2018-08-06180807-002VOND
2018-08-06180807-001VOND
2018-10-09181010-024VOND
2018-10-09181010-023VOND
2018-10-09181010-022VOND
2019-02-20190221-002VOND
2019-02-20190221-001VOND
2019-02-20190221-003VOND
2019-04-22190423-008VOND
2019-04-22190423-007VOND
2019-04-22190423-006VOND
2019-08-07190808-011VOND
2019-08-07190808-010VOND
2019-08-07190808-009VOND
2019-10-29191030-012VOND
2019-10-29191030-013VOND