Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Styrene

Jackson 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.

 

26

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018ND40ND
2019ND40ND
2020ND40ND
2021ND40ND
2022ND60ND
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
2018-12-05Q1849735006ND
2018-12-05Q1849735012ND
2018-12-05Q1849735015ND
2018-12-05Q1849735004ND
2019-06-04Q1931259013ND
2019-06-04Q1931259015ND
2019-06-04Q1931259017ND
2019-06-04Q1931259019ND
2020-08-19Q2033205030ND
2020-08-19Q2033205032ND
2020-08-19Q2033205034ND
2020-08-19Q2033205036ND
2021-01-20Q2101457006ND
2021-01-20Q2101457008ND
2021-01-20Q2101457004ND
2021-10-21Q2129820002ND
2022-04-05Q2210384003ND
2022-04-05Q2210384005ND
2022-04-05Q2210384007ND
2022-07-25Q2220978003ND
2022-08-17Q2224333001ND
2022-10-06Q2230229003ND
2023-10-11Q2343424006ND
2023-10-11Q2343424008ND
2023-10-11Q2343424010ND
2023-10-11Q2343424012ND