Ethylbenzene
Middletown Water Department
Ethylbenzene, a component of petroleum, is a volatile cancer-causing chemical primarily used for production of plastics and rubber. Ethylbenzene is also released from gasoline fuel emissions. Read More.
In animal studies, exposure to ethylbenzene causes tumors. Ethylbenzene can also damage lungs, liver, kidneys and the nervous system. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies ethylbenzene as “possibly carcinogenic to humans.”
Testing results - average by year
Year | Average result | Samples taken | Detections | Range of results |
---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | ND | 2 | 0 | ND |
2015 | ND | 2 | 0 | ND |
2016 | ND | 2 | 0 | ND |
2017 | ND | 2 | 0 | ND |
2018 | ND | 2 | 0 | ND |
2019 | ND | 2 | 0 | ND |
ppb = parts per billion
State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines
EWG Health Guideline 300 ppb
The EWG Health Guideline of 300 ppb for ethylbenzene 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) 700 ppb
The legal limit for ethylbenzene, established in 1991, was based on a toxicity study in laboratory animals conducted in the 1950s.
ppb = parts per billion
All test results
Date | Lab ID | Result |
---|---|---|
2014-06-09 | VOC1 200397422 | ND |
2014-06-09 | VOC1 200397423 | ND |
2015-05-28 | VOC1 200417513 | ND |
2015-06-01 | VOC1 200417623 | ND |
2016-06-22 | VOC1 200442999 | ND |
2016-06-29 | VOC1 200443424 | ND |
2017-06-29 | VOC1 200470757 | ND |
2017-09-29 | VOC1 200478287 | ND |
2018-03-28 | VOC1 200490770 | ND |
2018-04-16 | VOC1 200492154 | ND |
2019-05-13 | VOC1 200531893 | ND |
2019-05-21 | VOC1 200533083 | ND |