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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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MTBE

Marilee Elmont

MTBE was used as gasoline oxygenation additive to boost the octane number. In 2005, MTBE was replaced by ethanol as a gasoline additive. MTBE causes cancers in rats.

 

18

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND20ND
2015ND30ND
2016ND40ND
2017ND30ND
2018ND30ND
2019ND30ND

ppb = parts per billion

State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines

EWG Health Guideline 13 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 13 ppb for MTBE 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.

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

Date Lab ID Result
2014-08-18Q1437103011ND
2014-08-18Q1437103008ND
2015-07-15Q1527270005ND
2015-07-15Q1527270003ND
2015-07-15Q1527270002ND
2016-06-22Q1625662014ND
2016-06-22Q1625662003ND
2016-06-22Q1625662002ND
2016-09-19Q1638405001ND
2017-03-22Q1712324003ND
2017-03-22Q1712324002ND
2017-12-05Q1762918001ND
2018-03-06Q1809285012ND
2018-03-06Q1809285004ND
2018-12-11Q1850963001ND
2019-03-28Q1912690005ND
2019-03-28Q1912690003ND
2019-10-23Q1973423001ND