Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Xylenes (total)

Harris County Municipal Utility District 5

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.

 

9

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018ND10ND
2019ND10ND
2020ND10ND
2021ND10ND
20223.00 ppb221.70 ppb - 4.30 ppb
20230.900 ppb330.800 ppb - 1.000 ppb

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
2018-05-02AE24843ND
2019-02-06AE53204ND
2020-02-21AE99549ND
2021-02-02AF42236ND
2022-09-16AG136324.30 ppb
2022-11-30AG203071.70 ppb
2023-02-13AG285990.900 ppb
2023-05-09AG397511.000 ppb
2023-08-22AG535410.800 ppb