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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Styrene

Milford City Public Water System

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.

Click here to read more about carcinogenic VOCs.

MORE ABOUT THIS CONTAMINANT

 

57

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND30ND
2015ND40ND
2016ND30ND
20170.0417 ppb121ND - 0.500 ppb
2018ND200ND
2019ND150ND

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
2014-03-1714C0806-01ND
2014-06-3014G0375-02ND
2014-11-1314K0737-04ND
2015-04-1415D0795-01ND
2015-06-2215F1450-02ND
2015-09-1515I0981-02ND
2015-12-1615L1019-02ND
2016-01-2716A1157-05ND
2016-06-2916G0063-05ND
2016-10-1116J0628-01ND
2017-02-2117B1268-05ND
2017-05-3017E1888-05ND
2017-09-2017I1616-01ND
2017-09-2017I1616-04ND
2017-09-2017I1616-03ND
2017-09-2017I1616-05ND
2017-09-2617I1708-010.500 ppb
2017-12-2717L1567-04ND
2017-12-2717L1567-02ND
2017-12-2717L1567-01ND
2017-12-2717L1567-05ND
2017-12-2717L1567-03ND
2018-03-1418C1037-01ND
2018-03-1418C1037-03ND
2018-03-1418C1037-05ND
2018-03-1418C1037-04ND
2018-03-1418C1037-02ND
2018-05-0318E0300-05ND
2018-05-0318E0300-03ND
2018-05-0318E0300-02ND
2018-05-0318E0300-04ND
2018-05-0318E0300-01ND
2018-09-2418I1611-05ND
2018-09-2418I1611-04ND
2018-09-2418I1611-02ND
2018-09-2418I1611-01ND
2018-09-2418I1611-03ND
2018-12-18523972001ND
2018-12-18523972002ND
2018-12-18523972005ND
2018-12-18523972004ND
2018-12-18523972003ND
2019-03-11528913003ND
2019-03-11528913002ND
2019-03-11528913001ND
2019-03-11528913004ND
2019-03-11528913005ND
2019-04-245212496001ND
2019-04-245212496002ND
2019-04-245212496005ND
2019-04-245212496003ND
2019-04-245212496006ND
2019-09-265224308001ND
2019-09-265224308002ND
2019-09-265224308004ND
2019-09-265224308005ND
2019-09-265224308003ND