Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Toluene

Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority

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.

 

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: 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
2018-05-0218E0265-01ND
2019-05-2119E2494-01ND
2019-12-1319L1687-01ND
2020-02-0521752623.00ND
2020-05-0522310210.00ND
2020-10-2323270650.00ND
2021-02-0223970452.00ND
2021-06-1024731897.00ND
2021-06-1024731898.00ND
2022-05-0326743788.00ND
2022-05-0326743789.00ND
2023-05-1829001709.00ND