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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Toluene

Peter Pitchess Honor Rancho Detention Center

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.

 

23

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND30ND
2015ND70ND
2016ND30ND
2017ND40ND
2018ND30ND
2019ND30ND

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
2014-03-045442-016-1115ND
2014-03-045442-006-1058ND
2014-03-045442-003-1046ND
2015-03-045442-003-0934ND
2015-03-045442-016-0957ND
2015-03-045442-006-0942ND
2015-03-255442-003-1050ND
2015-03-255442-006-1105ND
2015-04-155442-006-1205ND
2015-04-155442-003-1155ND
2016-03-305442-006-0903ND
2016-03-305442-016-0937ND
2016-03-305442-003-0857ND
2017-07-139588-006-1100ND
2017-07-139588-016-1110ND
2017-07-139588-003-1049ND
2017-09-189590-016-0945ND
2018-01-169590-006-0915ND
2018-01-169590-003-0900ND
2018-01-169590-016-0930ND
2019-01-089590-003-0830ND
2019-01-089590-006-0845ND
2019-01-089590-016-0900ND