Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Styrene

Chalk Hill 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.

 

20

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018ND30ND
2019ND40ND
2020ND40ND
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
2018-06-20Q1824487007ND
2018-06-20Q1824487009ND
2018-06-20Q1824487006ND
2019-01-10Q1901411003ND
2019-04-08Q1914000002ND
2019-04-08Q1914000005ND
2019-04-08Q1914000006ND
2020-03-23Q2012183003ND
2020-05-21Q2020369001ND
2020-12-17Q2050083008ND
2020-12-17Q2050083006ND
2021-11-09Q2131359012ND
2021-11-09Q2131359014ND
2021-11-09Q2131359016ND
2022-12-13Q2237298001ND
2022-12-13Q2237298003ND
2022-12-13Q2237298005ND
2023-03-20Q2310465003ND
2023-05-23Q2319409005ND
2023-05-23Q2319409007ND