Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Toluene

Ruth Water District

NOTE: Ruth Water District purchases water from Ely Municipal Water Department which is required to test for toluene. Sample information shown below was taken by Ely Municipal 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.

 

13

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018ND10ND
2019ND40ND
2020ND10ND
2021ND10ND
2022ND60ND
2023N/A00N/A

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

NOTE: Ruth Water District purchases water from Ely Municipal Water Department which is required to test for toluene. Sample information shown below was taken by Ely Municipal Water Department.

Date Lab ID Result
2018-11-0818110223-007ND
2019-11-1419110404-002ND
2019-11-1419110404-003ND
2019-11-1419110404-005ND
2019-11-2119110631-001ND
2020-12-22202012290116ND
2021-12-09202112150655ND
2022-01-13202201200473ND
2022-05-1222050451-001ND
2022-05-1222050451-002ND
2022-07-0722070169-002ND
2022-07-0722070169-003ND
2022-07-0722070169-004ND