Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Styrene

Myrtle Springs 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.

 

27

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018ND30ND
2019ND30ND
2020ND70ND
2021ND40ND
2022ND40ND
2023ND60ND

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
2018-06-28Q1825924020ND
2018-06-28Q1825924022ND
2018-06-28Q1825924017ND
2019-08-26Q1959383002ND
2019-08-26Q1959383004ND
2019-08-26Q1959383006ND
2020-03-23Q2012172009ND
2020-05-21Q2020401006ND
2020-08-12Q2032124004ND
2020-08-12Q2032124006ND
2020-08-12Q2032124008ND
2020-08-12Q2032124019ND
2020-11-20Q2046941001ND
2021-06-29Q2116915007ND
2021-06-29Q2116915013ND
2021-06-29Q2116915011ND
2021-06-29Q2116915009ND
2022-06-09Q2216228001ND
2022-06-09Q2216228003ND
2022-06-09Q2216228005ND
2022-06-09Q2216228007ND
2023-04-19Q2314546005ND
2023-04-19Q2314546007ND
2023-04-19Q2314546009ND
2023-04-19Q2314546011ND
2023-09-06Q2338438003ND
2023-12-06Q2352167001ND