Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Xylenes (total)

Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority

Xylenes are solvents used in industrial and consumer products, such as cleaning agents and paint thinners. Xylenes cause nervous system damage and may harm developing fetuses.

 

12

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018ND10ND
2019ND20ND
2020ND30ND
2021ND30ND
2022ND20ND
2023ND10ND

ppb = parts per billion

State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water

EWG Health Guideline: 1,800 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 1,800 ppb for xylenes 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 the brain and nervous system.

EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL): 10,000 ppb

The legal limit for xylenes, established in 1991, was based on a toxicity study in laboratory animals conducted in the 1980s. This limit may not fully protect against harm to the brain and nervous system due to xylene exposure.

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

Date Lab ID Result
2018-05-0218E0265-01ND
2019-05-2119E2494-01ND
2019-12-1319L1687-01ND
2020-02-0521752607.00ND
2020-05-0522310194.00ND
2020-10-2323270634.00ND
2021-02-0223970436.00ND
2021-06-1024731865.00ND
2021-06-1024731866.00ND
2022-05-0326743756.00ND
2022-05-0326743757.00ND
2023-05-1829001693.00ND