Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Styrene

Western Cass Water Supply Corporation

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.

 

37

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018ND50ND
2019ND50ND
2020ND90ND
2021ND60ND
2022ND60ND
2023ND60ND

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
2018-03-08Q1809687004ND
2018-03-08Q1809687002ND
2018-03-08Q1809687009ND
2018-03-08Q1809687007ND
2018-03-08Q1809687006ND
2019-05-02Q1918236001ND
2019-05-02Q1918236003ND
2019-05-02Q1918236005ND
2019-05-02Q1918236007ND
2019-05-02Q1918236009ND
2020-03-19Q2011997005ND
2020-03-19Q2011997013ND
2020-04-21Q2015767011ND
2020-04-21Q2015767013ND
2020-04-21Q2015767015ND
2020-04-21Q2015767017ND
2020-04-21Q2015767036ND
2020-07-28Q2029440005ND
2020-10-22Q2041222005ND
2021-10-25Q2129911008ND
2021-10-25Q2129911010ND
2021-10-25Q2129911012ND
2021-10-25Q2129911014ND
2021-10-25Q2129911016ND
2021-10-25Q2129911006ND
2022-04-14Q2211593009ND
2022-04-14Q2211593011ND
2022-04-14Q2211593007ND
2022-04-14Q2211593005ND
2022-04-14Q2211593003ND
2022-11-16Q2234548001ND
2023-08-01Q2331111006ND
2023-08-01Q2331111008ND
2023-10-02Q2342120007ND
2023-10-02Q2342120009ND
2023-10-02Q2342120011ND
2023-10-02Q2342120013ND