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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Ethylbenzene

Aqua NJ - Lawrence

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.”

 

26

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND20ND
2015ND20ND
2016ND30ND
2017ND70ND
2018ND60ND
2019ND60ND

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
2014-05-28AE34663ND
2014-05-28AE34667ND
2015-01-13AE62550ND
2015-01-13AE62551ND
2016-01-05AF04394ND
2016-01-05AF04395ND
2016-11-30AF37139ND
2017-03-01AF44932ND
2017-03-23AF46830ND
2017-06-08AF54046ND
2017-07-25AF58351ND
2017-11-282279567002ND
2017-11-282279567001ND
2017-12-142283624001ND
2018-02-05AF75680ND
2018-06-06AF86168ND
2018-08-14AF92715ND
2018-08-14AF92723ND
2018-08-14AF92719ND
2018-10-29AF99887ND
2019-02-25AG09925ND
2019-04-16AG14631ND
2019-08-26AG29768ND
2019-08-26AG29767ND
2019-08-26AG29766ND
2019-10-29AG37554ND