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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Toluene

Mount Olive Township Water Department Sand

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.

 

23

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND40ND
2015ND40ND
2016ND40ND
2017ND40ND
2018ND30ND
2019ND40ND

ppb = parts per billion

State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines

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
2014-03-12340312116ND
2014-06-10340610136ND
2014-08-12340812110ND
2014-10-30341030056ND
2015-03-17350317088ND
2015-06-09350610207ND
2015-07-21350721097ND
2015-11-04351104126ND
2016-03-23360323104ND
2016-06-14360614178ND
2016-08-17360817121ND
2016-10-27361027100ND
2017-03-22370322080ND
2017-05-24370524110ND
2017-07-25370725098ND
2017-11-08371108147ND
2018-03-20380320180ND
2018-06-13380613159ND
2018-07-18380718185ND
2019-01-15390115195ND
2019-04-16390417217ND
2019-07-25390725040ND
2019-10-16391016245ND