Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Toluene

Kent Water Department

NOTE: Kent Water Department purchases water from City of Tacoma which is required to test for toluene. Sample information shown below was taken by City of Tacoma.

Toluene is a volatile solvent that harms the nervous and immune systems, damages the liver and may increase the risk of miscarriage and birth defects. Read More.

Toluene is a petroleum-derived chemical found in gasoline and used as a solvent in paints, adhesives and cleaning supplies. Toluene is highly neurotoxic. Exposure can cause fatigue and nausea, and may lead to nervous system disorders.

 

19

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018ND30ND
2019ND60ND
2020N/A00N/A
2021ND90ND
2022ND50ND
2023ND30ND

ppb = parts per billion

State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water

EWG Health Guideline: 150 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 150 ppb for toluene 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 harm to internal organs.

EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL): 1,000 ppb

The legal limit for toluene, established in 1991, was based on a toxicity study in laboratory animals conducted in the 1980s.

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

NOTE: Kent Water Department purchases water from City of Tacoma which is required to test for toluene. Sample information shown below was taken by City of Tacoma.

Date Lab ID Result
2018-02-07ND
2018-03-12ND
2018-03-19ND
2019-01-02ND
2019-07-24ND
2019-12-03ND
2021-06-214137307ND
2021-06-214137308ND
2021-06-214137309ND
2021-06-214233773ND
2021-06-304142811ND
2022-09-154368469ND
2022-09-234368470ND
2022-10-114363364ND
2022-11-154428454ND
2022-11-164388597ND
2023-06-204542958ND
2023-07-124542960ND
2023-07-124542959ND