Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Styrene

Town of Ponder

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
2018ND40ND
2019ND40ND
2020ND40ND
2021ND60ND
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
2018-03-07Q1809461002ND
2018-03-07Q1809461004ND
2018-03-07Q1809461005ND
2018-03-13Q1810192001ND
2019-04-04Q1913697004ND
2019-04-04Q1913697008ND
2019-04-04Q1913697011ND
2019-04-04Q1913697014ND
2020-10-08Q2039550008ND
2020-10-08Q2039550010ND
2020-10-08Q2039550012ND
2020-10-08Q2039550014ND
2021-06-28Q2116757008ND
2021-06-28Q2116757012ND
2021-06-28Q2116757010ND
2021-06-28Q2116757006ND
2021-09-01Q2123816001ND
2021-11-18Q2132416001ND
2022-06-30Q2218550001ND
2022-06-30Q2218550003ND
2022-06-30Q2218550006ND
2022-06-30Q2218550008ND
2023-09-14Q2339666004ND
2023-09-14Q2339666006ND
2023-09-14Q2339666008ND
2023-09-14Q2339666010ND