Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Styrene

Cross Roads Special Utility District

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.

 

19

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
2021ND60ND
2022ND40ND
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
2018-06-11Q1823067008ND
2018-06-11Q1823067005ND
2019-10-29Q1974604001ND
2019-10-29Q1974604003ND
2020-12-17Q2050079006ND
2020-12-17Q2050079008ND
2021-03-02Q2105308006ND
2021-06-24Q2116616005ND
2021-09-21Q2125859006ND
2021-11-30Q2133008006ND
2021-11-30Q2133008010ND
2021-11-30Q2133008008ND
2022-03-22Q2209157009ND
2022-03-22Q2209157011ND
2022-03-22Q2209157013ND
2022-05-26Q2215240003ND
2023-02-27Q2307812003ND
2023-07-20Q2328742001ND
2023-10-16Q2343886003ND