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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Toluene

Aqua Pa Bristol

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.

 

24

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
2015ND50ND
2016ND50ND
2017ND40ND
2018ND20ND
2019ND30ND

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
2014-01-10AE20136ND
2014-04-17AE29694ND
2014-04-17AE29704ND
2014-07-25AE41526ND
2014-10-10AE52027ND
2015-01-0912271454ND
2015-02-0612387493ND
2015-04-1712618248ND
2015-07-3112998817ND
2015-10-1613375710ND
2016-01-0613738158ND
2016-01-1513738179ND
2016-04-1514086785ND
2016-07-2114550565ND
2016-10-2615059941ND
2017-01-0615499354ND
2017-04-0715919094ND
2017-08-1816547722ND
2017-09-2116709722ND
2018-02-02AF75113ND
2018-02-22AF76987ND
2019-02-01AG07157ND
2019-03-07AG10696ND
2019-04-12AG14108ND