Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Styrene

Mountain Springs 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.

 

25

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018ND40ND
2019ND40ND
2020ND50ND
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
2018-03-13Q1810191003ND
2018-03-13Q1810191005ND
2018-03-13Q1810191001ND
2018-06-28Q1826059002ND
2019-01-28Q1904051006ND
2019-01-28Q1904051008ND
2019-01-28Q1904051010ND
2019-01-28Q1904051012ND
2020-05-13Q2019339010ND
2020-09-29Q2038336001ND
2020-11-05Q2043235022ND
2020-11-05Q2043235008ND
2020-11-05Q2043235004ND
2021-11-16Q2132004001ND
2021-11-16Q2132004003ND
2021-11-16Q2132004005ND
2021-11-16Q2132004007ND
2022-10-18Q2231735009ND
2022-10-18Q2231735011ND
2022-10-18Q2231735013ND
2022-10-18Q2231735015ND
2023-11-30Q2351033007ND
2023-11-30Q2351033009ND
2023-11-30Q2351033011ND
2023-12-13Q2353413003ND