Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Toluene

Essex Fells Water Department

Toluene is a volatile solvent that harms the nervous and immune systems, damages the liver and may increase the risk of miscarriage and birth defects. Read More.

Toluene is a petroleum-derived chemical found in gasoline and used as a solvent in paints, adhesives and cleaning supplies. Toluene is highly neurotoxic. Exposure can cause fatigue and nausea, and may lead to nervous system disorders.

 

55

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
20180.228 ppb111ND - 2.51 ppb
2019ND140ND
2020ND120ND
2021ND100ND
2022ND40ND
2023ND40ND

ppb = parts per billion

State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water

EWG Health Guideline: 150 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 150 ppb for toluene 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 internal organs.

EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL): 1,000 ppb

The legal limit for toluene, established in 1991, was based on a toxicity study in laboratory animals conducted in the 1980s.

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

Date Lab ID Result
2018-02-20DWSC4808-3ND
2018-02-20DWSC4808-1ND
2018-05-17DWSC5332-3ND
2018-05-17DWSC5332-1ND
2018-06-21DWSC5617-12.51 ppb
2018-09-1918091936-01ND
2018-09-1918091936-03ND
2018-09-1918091936-09ND
2018-11-2018112107-01ND
2018-11-2018112107-03ND
2018-11-2018112107-06ND
2019-02-1919022005-01ND
2019-02-1919022005-03ND
2019-03-2919032916-01ND
2019-06-0619060539-01ND
2019-06-0619060539-06ND
2019-06-0619060539-03ND
2019-08-2019081917-006ND
2019-08-2019081917-004ND
2019-08-2019081917-005ND
2019-10-2219102206-001ND
2019-10-2219102206-002ND
2019-11-1919111825-002ND
2019-11-1919111825-003ND
2019-11-2519112213-001ND
2020-02-1820021706-006ND
2020-02-1820021706-001ND
2020-02-1820021706-003ND
2020-05-1920051817-001ND
2020-05-1920051817-003ND
2020-06-2520062431-001ND
2020-08-1820081727-001ND
2020-08-1820081727-003ND
2020-08-1820081727-006ND
2020-11-1720111617-001ND
2020-11-1720111617-002ND
2020-11-1720111617-003ND
2021-01-1921011822-001ND
2021-01-1921011822-003ND
2021-03-1621031517-001ND
2021-05-1821051741-001AND
2021-05-1821051741-002AND
2021-05-1821051741-003AND
2021-07-20210719011-001ND
2021-07-20210719011-002ND
2021-07-20210719011-003ND
2021-11-09211108063-001ND
2022-01-11220110009-001ND
2022-05-26220525017-001ND
2022-07-12220711038-001AND
2022-11-08221107029-001ND
2023-01-10230109040-001ND
2023-06-29230628020-001ND
2023-07-11230710028-001AND
2023-11-14231113030-001ND