Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Styrene

Falfurrias Utility Board

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.

 

26

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018ND50ND
2019ND40ND
2020ND40ND
2021ND50ND
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
2018-02-12AE13326ND
2018-02-12AE13324ND
2018-06-14AE30042ND
2018-06-14AE30050ND
2018-11-05AE45241ND
2019-02-25AE55655ND
2019-02-25AE55661ND
2019-07-08AE73478ND
2019-07-08AE73480ND
2020-02-10AE97893ND
2020-08-17AF23863ND
2020-08-17AF23865ND
2020-08-17AF23867ND
2021-08-13AF66426ND
2021-11-10AF76428ND
2021-11-10AF76440ND
2021-11-10AF76442ND
2021-11-10AF76444ND
2022-01-28AF82603ND
2022-05-09AF96764ND
2022-05-09AF96766ND
2022-06-30AG03063ND
2023-01-23AG25736ND
2023-01-23AG25740ND
2023-04-12AG36564ND
2023-04-12AG36566ND