Styrene
Cortland
Styrene is a volatile cancer-causing chemical used for manufacturing Styrofoam (polystyrene) and other plastics. Releases from industrial production sites and hazardous waste landfills cause styrene contamination in drinking water. Read More.
In addition to increasing the risk of cancer, styrene can also damage the liver and the nervous system. California set a public health goal for styrene in drinking water at 0.5 parts per billion. The federal Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) allows up to 100 parts per billion of styrene in water, which is 200 times more than the California recommended level.
Testing results - average by year
Year | Average result | Samples taken | Detections | Range of results |
---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | ND | 1 | 0 | ND |
2015 | ND | 1 | 0 | ND |
2016 | ND | 15 | 0 | ND |
2017 | ND | 9 | 0 | ND |
2018 | ND | 9 | 0 | ND |
2019 | ND | 7 | 0 | ND |
ppb = parts per billion
State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines
EWG Health Guideline 0.5 ppb
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.5 ppb for styrene 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 cancer.
EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) 100 ppb
The legal limit for styrene, established in 1991, was based on a toxicity study in laboratory animals conducted in the 1970s. This limit may not fully protect against the risk of cancer due to styrene exposure.
ppb = parts per billion
All test results
Date | Lab ID | Result |
---|---|---|
2014-04-24 | POC 14 CORTLAND | ND |
2015-05-28 | POC 15 CORTLAND | ND |
2016-02-09 | POC 16W3M2 CORTL | ND |
2016-02-17 | POC 16W5M2 CORTL | ND |
2016-02-17 | POC 16W4M2 CORTL | ND |
2016-03-22 | POC 16W5M3 CORTL | ND |
2016-03-22 | POC 16W4M3 CORTL | ND |
2016-03-22 | POC 16W3M3 CORTL | ND |
2016-06-16 | POC 16W3M6 CORTL | ND |
2016-06-16 | POC 16W5M6 CORTL | ND |
2016-06-16 | POC 16W4M6 CORTL | ND |
2016-08-08 | POC 16Q3W4 CORTL | ND |
2016-10-04 | POC 16W3Q4 CORTL | ND |
2016-10-17 | POC 16W5M10 CORT | ND |
2016-12-27 | POC 16M12W3 CORT | ND |
2016-12-27 | POC 16M12W4 CORT | ND |
2016-12-27 | POC 16M12W5 CORT | ND |
2017-03-07 | POC 17M3W4 CORTL | ND |
2017-03-30 | POC 17M3W5 CORTL | ND |
2017-05-11 | POC 17M5W3 CORTL | ND |
2017-07-27 | POC 17M7W4 CORTL | ND |
2017-07-27 | POC 17M7W5 CORTL | ND |
2017-10-12 | POC 17M10W5 CORT | ND |
2017-10-12 | POC 17M10W4 CORT | ND |
2017-12-20 | POC 17M12W4 CORT | ND |
2017-12-20 | POC 17M12W5 CORT | ND |
2018-03-29 | POC 18M3W5 CORTL | ND |
2018-03-29 | POC 18M3W4 CORTL | ND |
2018-05-31 | POC 18W3 CORTLAN | ND |
2018-06-28 | POC 18M6W4 CORTL | ND |
2018-06-28 | POC 18M6W5 CORTL | ND |
2018-09-27 | POC 18M9W5 CORTL | ND |
2018-09-27 | POC 18M9W4 CORTL | ND |
2018-12-11 | POC 18M12W5 CORT | ND |
2018-12-11 | POC 18M12W4 CORT | ND |
2019-03-07 | POC 19M3W4 CORTL | ND |
2019-05-30 | POC 19W3 CORTLAN | ND |
2019-06-26 | POC 19M6W4 CORTL | ND |
2019-06-26 | POC 19M6W5 CORTL | ND |
2019-10-09 | POC 19M10W4 CORT | ND |
2019-10-31 | POC 19 CORTLAND | ND |
2019-12-18 | POC 19M12W5 CORT | ND |