Xylenes
C₆H₄(CH₃)₂·Affects brain, lungs, liver
Three isomers of dimethylbenzene found in gasoline. Part of the BTEX family that contaminates groundwater from fuel leaks and industrial discharge.
C₆H₄(CH₃)₂
EPA limit
10 mg/L (MCL, total xylenes)
Most at risk
Households on private wells near gas stations, refineries, or solvent users
Found in
City water · Well water · Industrial areas
AquaOx filters
YesActivated coconut shell carbon
What it does to you
Health effects
Xylenes primarily affect the central nervous system. Symptoms of chronic exposure include headaches, dizziness, fatigue, impaired coordination, and difficulty concentrating. Acute high-level exposure can cause confusion, balance problems, and unconsciousness.
The lungs and respiratory tract are a secondary target, particularly through inhalation of vaporized xylenes from shower water. Liver effects are documented at sustained moderate exposure in animal studies.
Xylenes are not classified as human carcinogens. The EPA's MCL of 10 mg/L for total xylenes is set based on non-cancer chronic effects and is one of the higher VOC limits because xylenes are less toxic than benzene at equivalent doses.
Where it comes from
How it gets into your water
Xylenes are BTEX compounds present in gasoline at roughly 5 to 9 percent by volume. The largest contamination route is leaking underground storage tanks at gas stations, which release the full BTEX mixture into surrounding groundwater.
Industrial uses contribute additional pathways. Xylenes are common solvents in paint thinners, varnishes, rubber, leather processing, and printing inks. The chemical also appears in pesticide formulations as a carrier solvent and in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Gas stations
Leaking underground storage tanks
Paint & solvents
Manufacturing and improper disposal
Contaminated wells
Near petroleum or industrial sites
Printing & rubber
Industrial process discharge
Find out for yourself
Is it in your water?
Public water utilities are required to test for xylenes and report results in the annual Consumer Confidence Report. Detections are uncommon in well-run municipal systems, and reported levels are typically far below the 10 mg/L MCL.
Private well owners near gas stations, fuel terminals, refineries, paint and solvent manufacturers, or known petroleum spill sites should request a BTEX or full VOC panel. Xylenes almost always appear together with benzene, toluene, and ethylbenzene because they share the same gasoline source.
The fix
How AquaOx filters it
Activated carbon is the EPA's recommended best-available technology for filtering xylenes from drinking water. The Centaur catalytic carbon and coconut shell activated carbon stages in The AquaOx adsorb xylenes efficiently, with independent testing showing reductions above 95 percent across the BTEX family.
Whole-house filtration also addresses inhalation exposure from shower and bath vapors, which is a meaningful contributor to total dose for VOCs like xylenes.