What is Ethylbenzene and how is it used?
Ethylbenzene is a colorless organic liquid with a sweet, gasoline-like odor. The greatest use – over 99 percent – of ethylbenzene is to make styrene, another organic liquid used as a building block for many plastics. It is also used as a solvent for coatings, and in making rubber and plastic wrap. 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: Ethylbenzol Phenylethane Why is Ethylbenzene 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 ethylbenzene has been set at 0.7 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,
