Benzene in Drinking Water
EPA limits, health effects, and what to do if your water is affected.
🩨 Health Effects
Benzene is a known human carcinogen. Long-term exposure causes leukemia and anemia by damaging bone marrow. It also suppresses the immune system. There is no known safe level of benzene exposure.
📍 Sources in Water
Benzene enters water from gasoline and crude oil spills, underground storage tank leaks, industrial discharge, and natural gas operations. It is a key component of gasoline and a widely used industrial solvent.
✅ What To Do
Activated carbon filters and reverse osmosis effectively remove benzene. If your utility has benzene violations, use bottled water or a certified filter for drinking. Violations can occur from fuel spills or industrial contamination near water sources.
Check your tap water for Benzene
Search your ZIP code to see if your water system has had Benzene violations, plus lead testing results and an overall safety grade.
Search your ZIP code →Data from the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). MCLs reflect minimum federal standards; some contaminants may pose health risks below these thresholds.