Toluene
Toluene is a clear, sweet-smelling solvent used in industry and gasoline production. It can enter water from spills or leaks, affecting the nervous system and organs.
Toluene is a volatile organic compound (VOC) derived from petroleum and coal tar. It's widely used in industrial processes and as a gasoline additive. This clear liquid can contaminate water through industrial discharges, underground storage tank leaks, and accidental spills. The EPA measures toluene in parts per billion (ppb) and has set a maximum contaminant level of 1 part per million in drinking water. Common in paints, adhesives, and leather tanning, toluene's presence in water often indicates industrial pollution or fuel leaks.
- People affected
- 3.4M
- Utilities with this contaminant
- 251
- States with this contaminant
- 37
Utilities with the highest levels of this contaminant
| Utility | Service Areas | Level | Population Served |
|---|---|---|---|
AT Athol Dpw Water Division | Athol, MA | 0.560 ppm | 10,332 |
BR Brunswick County Water System | Leland, NC | 0.500 ppm | 113,410 |
BR Brunswick Regional Water And Sewer H2Go | Leland, NC | 0.500 ppm | 45,748 |
LE Lebanon Water Dept | Lebanon, NH | 0.500 ppm | 10,050 |
SE Sebring Water ; Sewer System | Sebring, FL | 0.460 ppm | 42,640 |
SA Sarasota Co Special Util Dist | Sarasota, FL | 0.290 ppm | 209,309 |
NO Northampton Bucks Co Mun Auth | Bucks County, PA | 0.005 ppm | 36,750 |
MO Moore Public Works Authority | Cleveland County, OK | 0.004 ppm | 55,083 |
DO Doyon Utilities Jber - Richardson | Fort Richardson, AK | 0.003 ppm | 20,284 |
MO Moore Co Public Util-Pinehurst | Pinehurst, NC | 0.002 ppm | 29,509 |
Sources
- https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp56-c8.pdf
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK592510/
- https://archive.epa.gov/water/archive/web/pdf/archived-consumer-fact-sheet-on-toluene.pdf
- https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2015-06/documents/ny_hh_422_w_03121998.pdf
- https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2019-03/documents/ambient-wqc-toluene-1980.pdf