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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Toluene

Waukesha Water Utility

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.

 

18

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND70ND
20150.0875 ppb41ND - 0.350 ppb
2016N/A00N/A
2017ND70ND
2018N/A00N/A
2019N/A00N/A

ppb = parts per billion

State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines

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

Date Lab ID Result
2014-03-26776755ND
2014-03-26776753ND
2014-05-07784419ND
2014-05-07784422ND
2014-05-07784425ND
2014-06-11796100ND
2014-06-11796103ND
2015-03-10847851ND
2015-03-10847853ND
2015-03-11847855ND
2015-09-298863800.350 ppb
2017-03-28980078ND
2017-03-28980084ND
2017-03-28980081ND
2017-05-02986361ND
2017-05-02986364ND
2017-05-31994537ND
2017-05-31994540ND