Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Xylenes (total)

City of Dorchester

Xylenes are solvents used in industrial and consumer products, such as cleaning agents and paint thinners. Xylenes cause nervous system damage and may harm developing fetuses.

 

12

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
20180.350 ppb21ND - 0.700 ppb
2019ND20ND
20200.450 ppb21ND - 0.900 ppb
20214.81 ppb21ND - 9.61 ppb
20220.390 ppb21ND - 0.780 ppb
2023ND20ND

ppb = parts per billion

State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water

EWG Health Guideline: 1,800 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 1,800 ppb for xylenes 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 harm to the brain and nervous system.

EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL): 10,000 ppb

The legal limit for xylenes, established in 1991, was based on a toxicity study in laboratory animals conducted in the 1980s. This limit may not fully protect against harm to the brain and nervous system due to xylene exposure.

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

Date Lab ID Result
2018-07-05Q18266280010.700 ppb
2018-07-05Q1826628010ND
2019-08-13Q1954235002ND
2019-08-13Q1954235004ND
2020-10-15Q2040499003ND
2020-11-23Q20464500010.900 ppb
2021-09-20Q21255980039.61 ppb
2021-12-13Q2134947004ND
2022-06-29Q2218370001ND
2022-10-19Q22318290030.780 ppb
2023-08-23Q2335730001ND
2023-11-13Q2348430001ND