Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Styrene

Four Way Special Utility District

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.

 

24

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018ND40ND
2019ND40ND
2020ND40ND
2021ND40ND
2022ND40ND
2023ND40ND

ppb = parts per billion

State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water

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
2018-03-08Q1809770011ND
2018-03-08Q1809770013ND
2018-03-08Q1809770015ND
2018-03-08Q1809770010ND
2019-06-04Q1931189005ND
2019-06-04Q1931189007ND
2019-06-04Q1931189009ND
2019-06-04Q1931189011ND
2020-06-17Q2024644004ND
2020-08-11Q2031797007ND
2020-08-11Q2031797009ND
2020-08-11Q2031797011ND
2021-06-02Q2114209004ND
2021-06-02Q2114209010ND
2021-06-02Q2114209008ND
2021-06-02Q2114209006ND
2022-03-07Q2207619008ND
2022-03-07Q2207619010ND
2022-03-07Q2207619012ND
2022-03-07Q2207619014ND
2023-04-24Q2315229004ND
2023-06-05Q2320826020ND
2023-06-05Q2320826022ND
2023-06-05Q2320826024ND