Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Toluene

Harris County Water Control and Improvement District Fondren Road

Toluene is a volatile solvent that harms the nervous and immune systems, damages the liver and may increase the risk of miscarriage and birth defects. Read More.

Toluene is a petroleum-derived chemical found in gasoline and used as a solvent in paints, adhesives and cleaning supplies. Toluene is highly neurotoxic. Exposure can cause fatigue and nausea, and may lead to nervous system disorders.

 

13

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018ND20ND
2019ND20ND
2020ND20ND
2021ND40ND
2022ND10ND
2023ND20ND

ppb = parts per billion

State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water

EWG Health Guideline: 150 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 150 ppb for toluene 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 internal organs.

EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL): 1,000 ppb

The legal limit for toluene, established in 1991, was based on a toxicity study in laboratory animals conducted in the 1980s.

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

Date Lab ID Result
2018-02-28AE16059ND
2018-02-28AE16063ND
2019-01-30AE52240ND
2019-01-30AE52242ND
2020-01-21AE94363ND
2020-01-21AE94365ND
2021-06-15AF58084ND
2021-06-29AF59932ND
2021-09-23AF71053ND
2021-10-11AF72910ND
2022-03-16AF89377ND
2023-01-25AG26262ND
2023-01-25AG26266ND