Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Styrene

Westside Rural 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.

 

24

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
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
2018-10-30Q1843596003ND
2018-10-30Q1843596006ND
2018-10-30Q1843596007ND
2018-10-30Q1843596002ND
2019-05-07Q1920849002ND
2019-05-07Q1920849004ND
2019-05-07Q1920849006ND
2019-05-07Q1920849008ND
2020-01-23Q2002763003ND
2020-01-23Q2002763005ND
2020-01-23Q2002763007ND
2020-01-23Q2002763009ND
2021-01-25Q2101699010ND
2021-01-25Q2101699016ND
2021-01-25Q2101699014ND
2021-01-25Q2101699012ND
2022-11-10Q2233973002ND
2022-11-10Q2233973004ND
2022-11-10Q2233973006ND
2022-11-10Q2233973008ND
2023-03-20Q2310439002ND
2023-06-21Q2323858001ND
2023-06-21Q2323858003ND
2023-06-21Q2323858005ND