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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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MTBE

Athol DPW Water Division

MTBE was used as gasoline oxygenation additive to boost the octane number. In 2005, MTBE was replaced by ethanol as a gasoline additive. MTBE causes cancers in rats.

 

30

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
20140.158 ppb51ND - 0.790 ppb
20150.194 ppb51ND - 0.970 ppb
2016ND50ND
2017ND40ND
2018ND60ND
2019ND50ND

ppb = parts per billion

State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines

EWG Health Guideline 13 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 13 ppb for MTBE 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.

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

Date Result
2014-02-04ND
2014-02-040.790 ppb
2014-06-03ND
2014-08-05ND
2014-10-21ND
2015-02-030.970 ppb
2015-04-20ND
2015-04-21ND
2015-07-21ND
2015-10-20ND
2016-02-16ND
2016-02-16ND
2016-05-17ND
2016-08-16ND
2016-10-18ND
2017-01-03ND
2017-02-21ND
2017-05-16ND
2017-10-16ND
2018-02-20ND
2018-03-05ND
2018-05-15ND
2018-05-15ND
2018-07-17ND
2018-10-23ND
2019-02-05ND
2019-02-05ND
2019-05-07ND
2019-07-16ND
2019-11-19ND