This is a fact sheet about a chemical that may be found in some public or
private drinking water supplies. It may cause health problems if found
in amounts greater than the health standard set by the United States
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
What is Xylenes and how is it used?
A xylene is any of a group of very similar organic compounds. They are
clear liquids with a sweet odor. The greatest use of xylenes is as a
solvent which is much safer than benzene. Other uses include: in
gasoline as part of the BTX component (benzene-toluene-xylene); Xylene
mixtures are used to make phthalate plasticizers, polyester fiber, film
and fabricated items.
The list of trade names given below may help you find out whether you are using this chemical at home or work.
Trade Names and Synonyms:
Dimethyl benzene
Xylol
Methyltoluene
Violet 3
Why is Xylenes being regulated?
In 1974, Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act. This law requires
EPA to determine safe levels of chemicals in drinking water which do or
may cause health problems. These non-enforceable levels, based solely on
possible health risks and exposure, are called Maximum Contaminant Level
Goals.
The MCLG for xylenes has been set at 10 parts per million (ppm)
because EPA believes this level of protection would not cause any of the
potential health problems described below.
Based on this MCLG, EPA has set an enforceable standard called a
Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL). MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as
possible, considering the ability of public water systems to detect and
remove contaminants using suitable treatment technologies.
The MCL has been set at 10 ppm because EPA believes, given present
technology and resources, this is the lowest level to which water
systems can reasonably be required to remove this contaminant should it
occur in drinking water.
These drinking water standards and the regulations for ensuring
these standards are met, are called National Primary Drinking Water
Regulations. All public water supplies must abide by these regulations.
What are the health effects?
Short-term: EPA has found xylenes to potentially cause the following
health effects when people are exposed to it at levels above the MCL for
relatively short periods of time: disturbances of cognitive abilities,
balance, and coordination.
Long-term: Xylenes has the potential to cause the following
effects from a lifetime exposure at levels above the MCL: damage to the
central nervous system, liver and kidneys.
How much Xylenes is produced and released to the environment?
Production of xylenes was 6.84 billion lbs. in 1993. Major environmental
releases of xylenes are due to evaporation from the refining and use of
petroleum products. It may also be released by leaks or spills during
the transport and storage of gasoline and other fuels. Xylenes are a
natural products of many plants, and are a component of petroleum and
coal tar.
From 1987 to 1993, according to EPA's Toxic Chemical Release
Inventory, xylene releases to land and water totalled nearly 4.8 billion
lbs. These releases were primarily from petroleum refining industries.
The largest releases occurred in Texas. The largest direct releases to
water occurred in New Jersey and Georgia.
What happens to Xylenes when it is released to the environment?
Most of the xylenes are released into the atmosphere where they are
quickly degraded by sunlight. When released to soil or water, xylenes
will quickly evaporate. They may leach into ground water and persist
there for several years. There is little potential for accumulation in
aquatic life.
How will Xylenes be detected in and removed from my drinking water?
The regulation for xylenes became effective in 1992. Between 1993 and
1995, EPA required your water supplier to collect water samples every 3
months for one year and analyze them to find out if xylenes is present
above 0.5 ppb. If it is present above this level, the system must
continue to monitor this contaminant.
If contaminant levels are found to be consistently above the MCL,
your water supplier must take steps to reduce the amount of xylenes so
that it is consistently below that level. The following treatment
methods have been approved by EPA for removing xylenes: Granular
activated charcoal in combination with Packed Tower Aeration.
How will I know if Xylenes is in my drinking water?
If the levels of xylenes exceed the MCL, 10 ppm, the system must notify
the public via newspapers, radio, TV and other means. Additional
actions, such as providing alternative drinking water supplies, may be
required to prevent serious risks to public health.
This is a factsheet about a chemical that may be found in some
public or private drinking water supplies. It may cause health problems
if found in amounts greater than the health standard set by the United
States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Drinking Water Standards:
| Mclg: 10 ppm (parts per million) Mcl:
10 ppm |
Xylenes Releases to Water and Land, 1987 to 1993 (in pounds):
|
|
Water |
Land |
|
TOTALS (in pounds) |
875,943 |
3,897,738 |
|
Top Ten States* |
|
TX |
30,853 |
2,099,734
|
|
NJ |
294,437 |
280,759
|
|
IL |
36 |
206,990
|
|
IN |
0 |
145,079
|
|
AL |
34,361 |
59,022
|
|
CA |
0 |
91,500
|
|
MI |
0 |
86,774
|
|
GA |
68,310 |
15,000
|
|
VA |
50,100 |
33,000
|
|
WA |
27,860 |
52,360
|
|
Major Industries* |
|
Petroleum refining |
131,817 |
2,678,958
|
|
Metal barrels, drums |
5 |
289,542
|
|
Textile finishing, misc. |
278,454 |
0
|
|
Misc. Industrial chems. |
95,706 |
69,696
|
|
Extruded Aluminum prod. |
1,265 |
138,798
|
|
Furniture, fixtures |
0 |
91,500
|
|
Cotton fabric finishing |
68,310 |
15,000
|
|
Wood office furniture |
0 |
67,677
|
|
Pharmaceuticals |
52,285 |
3,100
|
|
Paper mills |
52,480 |
2,122 |
|
* Water/Land totals only include facilities with releases greater
than a certain amount - usually 1000 to 10,000 lbs.
Note: This fact sheet is part of a larger publication
adapted from U.S. EPA publication: EPA National Primary Drinking Water
Regulations.
