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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Xylenes (total)

Mcnair-stampley W/a #3

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.

 

16

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014N/A00N/A
20151.46 ppb220.571 ppb - 2.35 ppb
2016ND30ND
20170.225 ppb41ND - 0.901 ppb
20180.617 ppb42ND - 1.62 ppb
2019ND30ND

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
2015-08-24150826-001VO2.35 ppb
2015-11-02151103-004VO0.571 ppb
2016-03-08160309-005VOND
2016-05-16160518-027VOND
2016-07-19160720-027VOND
2017-03-06170307-014VO0.901 ppb
2017-05-22170523-016VOND
2017-08-03170804-003VOND
2017-10-30171031-022VOND
2018-02-05180206-017VOND
2018-05-02180503-019VOND
2018-08-13180814-023VO0.853 ppb
2018-10-15181016-015VO1.62 ppb
2019-02-27190228-008VOND
2019-04-29190430-002VOND
2019-08-19190820-004VOND