Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Styrene

Goodsprings Water Supply Corporation

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.

 

25

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018ND40ND
2019ND40ND
2020ND50ND
2021ND40ND
2022ND40ND
2023ND40ND

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
2018-05-17Q1820171004ND
2018-05-17Q1820171005ND
2018-05-17Q1820171008ND
2018-05-17Q1820171001ND
2019-01-03Q1900156001ND
2019-01-03Q1900156007ND
2019-01-03Q1900156012ND
2019-01-03Q1900156018ND
2020-03-11Q2010297009ND
2020-06-17Q2024667010ND
2020-06-17Q2024667012ND
2020-12-17Q2050081009ND
2020-12-17Q2050081007ND
2021-03-04Q2105807004ND
2021-11-12Q2131822005ND
2021-11-12Q2131822009ND
2021-11-12Q2131822011ND
2022-03-03Q2207402002ND
2022-05-12Q2214292001ND
2022-05-12Q2214292003ND
2022-05-12Q2214292005ND
2023-02-16Q2306539005ND
2023-07-06Q2326236018ND
2023-07-06Q2326236020ND
2023-07-06Q2326236022ND