Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Styrene

Marilee Elmont

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.

 

18

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018ND30ND
2019ND30ND
2020ND30ND
2021ND30ND
2022ND30ND
2023ND30ND

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
2018-03-06Q1809285012ND
2018-03-06Q1809285004ND
2018-12-11Q1850963001ND
2019-03-28Q1912690003ND
2019-03-28Q1912690005ND
2019-10-23Q1973423001ND
2020-10-15Q2040500001ND
2020-10-15Q2040500003ND
2020-10-15Q2040500005ND
2021-10-13Q2128658007ND
2021-10-13Q2128658011ND
2021-10-13Q2128658009ND
2022-06-15Q2216689004ND
2022-06-15Q2216689006ND
2022-06-15Q2216689008ND
2023-08-14Q2333684003ND
2023-08-14Q2333684005ND
2023-10-31Q2346561001ND