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FACT SHEET ON A DRINKING WATER CHEMICAL CONTAMINANT
GENERAL INFORMATION
Synonyms.
» Vinyl Benzene; Cinnamene; Phenylethylene.
Ethenylbenzene
Chemical Description:
•	Aromatic, colorless to yellowish oily liquid
derived from the dehydrogenation of
ethyitoenzene
Propwrtta:
•	Slightly soluble in water
•	Soluble in organic solvents
•	Moderate to low vapor pressure
Production and Us«:
•	Used in the manufacture of styrene plasties,
synthetic rubber, insulators, resins, polyesters,
and pharmaceuticals
ENVIRONMENTAL PROFILE
Occurrence:
•	National drinking water surveys indicate that
styrene is an infrequent contaminant; however,
State programs have reported the occasional
contamination of drinking water by styrene
Releases:
•	May enter the environment through industrial
discharges, municipal waste treatment plant
discharges, and spills
Environmental Fat®:
•	Released to soils: subject to biodegradation;
may exhibit low to moderate soil mobility
depending upon soil conditions, and can
leach into underlying water
•	Released to surface water, volatilizes rapidly
and will btodegrade; will adsorb to particulate
matter and sediment
« Released to the atmosphere; degrades rapidly;
one of the most active generators of
photochemical smog
HEALTH EFFECTS
Humans:
•	Inhalation experiments have shown such
effects upon the central nervous system (CNS)
as drowsiness, listlessness, altered sense of
balance, loss of coordination and dexterity,
increased reaction time, nasal and eye
irritation, and slowed motor functions
Experimental Animals:
•	Short-term, high-dose studies indicate that the
acute toxicity of styrene is relatively low
» Long-term, high-dose studies indicate that
styrene is a liver toxin
•	Inconclusive studies on mutagenic and
carcinogenic potential of styrene
REGULATORY PROFILE
Existing Standards:
•Clean Air Act (CAA): Regulated
•Clean Water Act (CWA):
No criteria established
•Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
(RCRA):
Not regulated
•Superfund (CERCLA):
•Hazardous substance
•SARA: Toxic chemical
•Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and
Rodenticlde Act (FIFRA):
Not registered
•Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA):
Regulated

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HEALTH INFORMATION
Maximum Contaminant Level Goals (MCLG):
» Non-enforceable levels based solely on an
evaluation of possible health risks and
exposure, and taking into consideration a
margin for public safety
•	Set at 0.1 mg/L to protect against damage to
the liver and nervous system
MCLG for Styrene = 0.1 mg/L
(effective July 1992)
Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL):
•	legally enforceable levels for contaminants in
public drinking water supplies
•	Based on health risks associated with the
contaminants, analytical methods for their
assay, and water treatment feasibility and
practicality aspects
» Exceedance of the MCL in drinking wafer may
result in adverse effects which will depend
upon the contaminant concentration in water,
amount of water/contaminant ingested,
length of exposure, and other biological
parameters
MCL for Styrene = 0.1 mg/L
(effective July 1992)
EPA Health Advisories (HA):
•	Short-term HAs: Provide acceptaole
concentrations of contaminants in water for
up to 10 day exposures, primarily to evaluate
the public health risk resulting from an
accidental spill or an emergency
contamination situation
•	Longer-term HAs: Provide guidance for
persistent water contamination situations to
cover a period of up to 7 years
•	Lifetime HAs; Derived in the same way as an
MCLG
Hearth Advisories:
Short-term HA for a child = 2.0 mg/L
Longer-term HA for a child = 2.0 mg/L
longer-term HA tor an adult = 7.0 mg/L
Lifetime HA = 0.1 mg/L
•	Purge and Trap Column Gas Chroma*cgfacrv
with Photoionizafion and Electro y*c
Conductivity Defectors in Series:
EPA Method 502.2
•	Purged Column Gas Chromatography, Mass
Spectrometry;
EPA Method 524.1
•	Capillary Column Gas Chromatography/Mass
Spectrometry:
EPA Method 524,2
WATER Til ATM INT
Permanent Treatment:
•	Best Available Technology (BAT):
*	Granular Activated Carbon
*	Packed Tower Aeration
SHORT-TERM HAZARD ELIMINATION
•	If the drinking water standaras are exceeded,
install BAT or use an alternative drinking water
supply such as bottled water
ADDITIONAL HHP
•	State or county health officials can indicate a
certified laboratory for testing
» Experts in the state Department of
Environmental Protection or Natural Resources
may also be of help
•	The EPA has. toll-free numbers for further
information on drinking wafer quanty
treatment technologies, for obtaining health
Advisories, and for other regulatory information
•	EPA Hotlines are available Monday through
Friday
•Safe Drinking Water:	800-426-4791
•National Pesticides:	800-858-7378
•Superfund/RCRA:	800-424-9346
•	For information on the Clean Water Act. coil
(202) 260-7301
•	For information on the Toxic Substances
Control Act, call (202) 554-1404
•	For information on the Clean Air Act, call
(919) 541-2777
ANALYTICAL METHODS
• Purge and Trap Gas Chromatography:
EPA Method 502.1
EPA Method 503,1

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