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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Toluene

Pennsylvania American Royersford

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.

 

36

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND90ND
2015ND100ND
2016ND40ND
2017ND50ND
2018ND40ND
2019ND40ND

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
2014-04-0225340001ND
2014-04-0225341501ND
2014-04-0325340301ND
2014-04-0325340801ND
2014-06-2525340501ND
2014-08-0626818001ND
2014-08-0626818101ND
2014-10-0627103901ND
2014-10-0627104001ND
2015-01-0812283040ND
2015-01-0812283019ND
2015-04-0912628860ND
2015-04-0912628925ND
2015-04-0912628881ND
2015-04-0912628902ND
2015-07-1313008741ND
2015-09-1613260267ND
2015-10-0613385307ND
2015-10-0613385328ND
2016-04-0514097843ND
2016-04-0514097864ND
2016-04-0514097822ND
2016-04-0514097887ND
2017-04-1115931655ND
2017-04-1115931611ND
2017-04-1115931590ND
2017-04-1115931569ND
2017-04-1115931632ND
2018-04-1139073401ND
2018-04-1139072901ND
2018-04-1139074201ND
2018-04-1139073001ND
2019-04-0843659301ND
2019-04-0843660501ND
2019-04-0843660601ND
2019-04-2343659401ND