Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Xylenes (total)

Metropolitan Utilities District

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.

 

34

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018ND50ND
2019ND70ND
2020ND60ND
2021ND40ND
2022ND50ND
2023ND70ND

ppb = parts per billion

State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water

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
2018-02-06ND
2018-05-07ND
2018-05-14ND
2018-08-08ND
2018-11-06ND
2019-02-05ND
2019-04-02ND
2019-04-22ND
2019-05-07ND
2019-06-10ND
2019-08-06ND
2019-11-05ND
2020-02-04ND
2020-04-20ND
2020-05-05ND
2020-06-01ND
2020-08-04ND
2020-11-10ND
2021-02-02ND
2021-05-04ND
2021-08-04ND
2021-11-03ND
2022-02-23ND
2022-04-26ND
2022-05-03ND
2022-08-03ND
2022-11-08ND
2023-01-17ND
2023-02-07ND
2023-05-02ND
2023-06-08ND
2023-06-12ND
2023-08-08ND
2023-11-07ND