Xylenes (Total) in Drinking Water
EPA limits, health effects, and what to do if your water is affected.
🩨 Health Effects
Long-term exposure above the MCL may cause nervous system damage. Short-term exposure can cause irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, dizziness, and headaches.
📍 Sources in Water
Xylenes are components of gasoline and are used as industrial solvents. They enter water from petroleum product spills, underground storage tank leaks, and industrial discharge.
✅ What To Do
Activated carbon filtration is effective at removing xylenes. Xylenes have a relatively high MCL (10 mg/L) and violations are uncommon in community water systems.
📜 Regulation History
The EPA set the xylenes MCL at 10 mg/L (10,000 ppb) in 1987 under the Phase I VOC rule. This is the highest MCL for any regulated VOC, reflecting xylenes' relatively low toxicity. The WHO guideline is 0.5 mg/L, significantly stricter than the US standard.
🔬 How To Test Your Water
Certified lab tests for xylenes cost $50-$100 as part of a VOC panel (EPA Method 524.2). Home test kits are not available. Xylenes are part of the BTEX group (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes) commonly tested together near fuel contamination sites.
💧 Which Filters Remove Xylenes (Total)?
Granular activated carbon (GAC) filters are highly effective at removing xylenes. Air stripping/aeration works at the municipal level. Reverse osmosis provides additional removal. Look for NSF/ANSI 53 certification for VOC reduction.
🔗 Related Contaminants
Check your tap water for Xylenes (Total)
Search your ZIP code to see if your water system has had Xylenes (Total) 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.