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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Toluene

Beacon City

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.

 

35

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2013N/A00N/A
2014ND50ND
2015N/A00N/A
2016ND60ND
2017ND100ND
2018ND60ND
2019ND80ND

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
2014-04-02420-76358-1ND
2014-04-29420-77175-2ND
2014-04-29420-77175-3ND
2014-04-29420-77175-1ND
2014-05-28420-78159-1ND
2016-05-25CB161094ND
2016-11-29CB164132ND
2016-11-29CB164133ND
2016-11-29CB164131ND
2016-11-29CB164135ND
2016-11-29CB164134ND
2017-01-27CB170253ND
2017-01-27CB170252ND
2017-01-27CB170251ND
2017-11-29CB172978ND
2017-11-29CB172977ND
2017-11-29CB172976ND
2017-11-29CB172980ND
2017-11-29CB172979ND
2017-12-08L1745434-01ND
2017-12-08L1745434-02ND
2018-11-28CB182679ND
2018-11-28CB182677ND
2018-11-28CB182680ND
2018-11-28CB182678ND
2018-12-07CB182841ND
2018-12-07CB182842ND
2019-01-1619A0608-01ND
2019-01-1619A0608-02ND
2019-04-16CB190937ND
2019-07-1719G0769-01ND
2019-10-23CB192648ND
2019-10-23CB192649ND
2019-10-23CB192647ND
2019-10-23CB192646ND