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Contaminants | MCLG1 (mg/L)4 | MCL2 or TT3 (mg/L)4 | Potential Health Effects from Ingestion of Water | Sources of Contaminant in Drinking Water | ||
Inorganic Chemicals | ||||||
Antimony | 0.006 | 0.006 | Increase in blood cholesterol; decrease in blood glucose | Discharge from petroleum refineries; fire retardants; ceramics; electronics; solder | ||
Arsenic | none5 | 0.05 | Skin damage; circulatory system problems; increased risk of cancer | Discharge from semiconductor manufacturing; petroleum refining; wood preservatives; animal feed additives; herbicides; erosion of natural deposits | ||
Asbestos (fiber >10 micrometers) | 7 million fibers per Liter | 7 MFL | Increased risk of developing benign intestinal polyps | Decay of asbestos cement in water mains; erosion of natural deposits | ||
Barium | 2 | 2 | Increase in blood pressure | Discharge of drilling wastes; discharge from metal refineries; erosion of natural deposits | ||
Beryllium | 0.004 | 0.004 | Intestinal lesions | Discharge from metal refineries and coal-burning factories; discharge from electrical, aerospace, and defense industries | ||
Cadmium | 0.005 | 0.005 | Kidney damage | Corrosion of galvanized pipes; erosion of natural deposits; discharge from metal refineries; runoff from waste batteries and paints | ||
Chromium (total) | 0.1 | 0.1 | Some people who use water containing chromium well in excess of the MCL over many years could experience allergic dermatitis | Discharge from steel and pulp mills; erosion of natural deposits | ||
Copper | 1.3 | Action Level=1.3; TT6 | Short term exposure: Gastrointestinal distress. Long term exposure: Liver or kidney damage. Those with Wilson's Disease should consult their personal doctor if their water systems exceed the copper action level. | Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits; leaching from wood preservatives | ||
Cyanide (as free cyanide) | 0.2 | 0.2 | Nerve damage or thyroid problems | Discharge from steel/metal factories; discharge from plastic and fertilizer factories | ||
Fluoride | 4.0 | 4.0 | Bone disease (pain and tenderness of the bones); Children may get mottled teeth. | Water additive which promotes strong teeth; erosion of natural deposits; discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories | ||
Lead | zero | Action Level=0.015; TT6 | Infants and children: Delays in physical or mental development. Adults: Kidney problems; high blood pressure | Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits | ||
Inorganic Mercury | 0.002 | 0.002 | Kidney damage | Erosion of natural deposits; discharge from refineries and factories; runoff from landfills and cropland | ||
Nitrate (measured as Nitrogen) | 10 | 10 | "Blue baby syndrome" in infants under six months - life threatening without immediate medical attention. Symptoms: Infant looks blue and has shortness of breath. | Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks, sewage; erosion of natural deposits | ||
Nitrite (measured as Nitrogen) | 1 | 1 | "Blue baby syndrome" in infants under six months - life threatening without immediate medical attention. Symptoms: Infant looks blue and has shortness of breath. | Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks, sewage; erosion of natural deposits | ||
Selenium | 0.05 | 0.05 | Hair or fingernail loss; numbness in fingers or toes; circulatory problems | Discharge from petroleum refineries; erosion of natural deposits; discharge from mines | ||
Thallium | 0.0005 | 0.002 | Hair loss; changes in blood; kidney, intestine, or liver problems | Leaching from ore-processing sites; discharge from electronics, glass, and pharmaceutical companies | ||
Organic Chemicals | MCLG1 (mg/L)4 | MCL2 or TT3 (mg/L)4 | Potential Health Effects from Ingestion of Water | Sources of Contaminant in Drinking Water | ||
Acrylamide | zero | TT7 | Nervous system or blood problems; increased risk of cancer | Added to water during sewage/wastewater treatment | ||
Alachlor | zero | 0.002 | Eye, liver, kidney or spleen problems; anemia; increased risk of cancer | Runoff from herbicide used on row crops | ||
Atrazine | 0.003 | 0.003 | Cardiovascular system problems; reproductive difficulties | Runoff from herbicide used on row crops | ||
Benzene | zero | 0.005 | Anemia; decrease in blood platelets; increased risk of cancer | Discharge from factories; leaching from gas storage tanks and landfills | ||
Benzo(a)pyrene | zero | 0.0002 | Reproductive difficulties; increased risk of cancer | Leaching from linings of water storage tanks and distribution lines | ||
Carbofuran | 0.04 | 0.04 | Problems with blood or nervous system; reproductive difficulties. | Leaching of soil fumigant used on rice and alfalfa | ||
Carbon tetrachloride | zero | .005 | Liver problems; increased risk of cancer | Discharge from chemical plants and other industrial activities | ||
Chlordane | zero | 0.002 | Liver or nervous system problems; increased risk of cancer | Residue of banned termiticide | ||
Chlorobenzene | 0.1 | 0.1 | Liver or kidney problems | Discharger from chemical and agricultural chemical factories | ||
2,4-D | 0.07 | 0.07 | Kidney, liver, or adrenal gland problems | Runoff from herbicide used on row crops | ||
Dalapon | 0.2 | 0.2 | Minor kidney changes | Runoff from herbicide used on rights of way | ||
1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) | zero | 0.0002 | Reproductive difficulties; increased risk of cancer | Runoff/leaching from soil fumigant used on soybeans, cotton, pineapples, and orchards | ||
o-Dichlorobenzene | 0.6 | 0.6 | Liver, kidney, or circulatory system problems | Discharge from industrial chemical factories | ||
p-Dichlorobenzene | 0.075 | 0.075 | Anemia; liver, kidney or spleen damage; changes in blood | Discharge from industrial chemical factories | ||
1,2-Dichloroethane | zero | 0.005 | Increased risk of cancer | Discharge from industrial chemical factories | ||
1-1-Dichloroethylene | 0.007 | 0.007 | Liver problems | Discharge from industrial chemical factories | ||
cis-1, 2-Dichloroethylene | 0.07 | 0.07 | Liver problems | Discharge from industrial chemical factories | ||
trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene | 0.1 | 0.1 | Liver problems | Discharge from industrial chemical factories | ||
Dichloromethane | zero | 0.005 | Liver problems; increased risk of cancer | Discharge from pharmaceutical and chemical factories | ||
1-2-Dichloropropane | zero | 0.005 | Increased risk of cancer | Discharge from industrial chemical factories | ||
Di(2-ethylhexyl)adipate | 0.4 | 0.4 | General toxic effects or reproductive difficulties | Leaching from PVC plumbing systems; discharge from chemical factories | ||
Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate | zero | 0.006 | Reproductive difficulties; liver problems; increased risk of cancer | Discharge from rubber and chemical factories | ||
Dinoseb | 0.007 | 0.007 | Reproductive difficulties | Runoff from herbicide used on soybeans and vegetables | ||
Dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD) | zero | 0.00000003 | Reproductive difficulties; increased risk of cancer | Emissions from waste incineration and other combustion; discharge from chemical factories | ||
Diquat | 0.02 | 0.02 | Cataracts | Runoff from herbicide use | ||
Endothall | 0.1 | 0.1 | Stomach and intestinal problems | Runoff from herbicide use | ||
Endrin | 0.002 | 0.002 | Nervous system effects | Residue of banned insecticide | ||
Epichlorohydrin | zero | TT7 | Stomach problems; reproductive difficulties; increased risk of cancer | Discharge from industrial chemical factories; added to water during treatment process | ||
Ethylbenzene | 0.7 | 0.7 | Liver or kidney problems | Discharge from petroleum refineries | ||
Ethelyne dibromide | zero | 0.00005 | Stomach problems; reproductive difficulties; increased risk of cancer | Discharge from petroleum refineries | ||
Glyphosate | 0.7 | 0.7 | Kidney problems; reproductive difficulties | Runoff from herbicide use | ||
Heptachlor | zero | 0.0004 | Liver damage; increased risk of cancer | Residue of banned termiticide | ||
Heptachlor epoxide | zero | 0.0002 | Liver damage; increased risk of cancer | Breakdown of hepatachlor | ||
Hexachlorobenzene | zero | 0.001 | Liver or kidney problems; reproductive difficulties; increased risk of cancer | Discharge from metal refineries and agricultural chemical factories | ||
Hexachlorocyclopentadiene | 0.05 | 0.05 | Kidney or stomach problems | Discharge from chemical factories | ||
Lindane | 0.0002 | 0.0002 | Liver or kidney problems | Runoff/leaching from insecticide used on catttle, lumber, gardens | ||
Methoxychlor | 0.04 | 0.04 | Reproductive difficulties | Runoff/leaching from insecticide used on fruits, vegetables, alfalfa, livestock | ||
Oxamyl (Vydate) | 0.2 | 0.2 | Slight nervous system effects | Runoff/leaching from insecticide used on apples, potatoes, and tomatoes | ||
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) | zero | 0.0005 | Skin changes; thymus gland problems; immune difficiencies; reproductive or nervous system difficulties; increased risk of cancer | Runoff from landfils; discharge of waste chemicals | ||
Pentachlorophenol | zero | 0.001 | Liver or kidney problems; increased risk of cancer | Discharge from wood preserving factories | ||
Picloram | 0.5 | 0.5 | Liver problems | Herbicide runoff | ||
Simazine | 0.004 | 0.004 | Problems with blood | Herbicide runoff | ||
Styrene | 0.1 | 0.1 | Liver, kidney, and circulatory problems | Discharge from rubber and plastic factories; leaching from landfills | ||
Tetrachloroethylene | zero | 0.005 | Liver problems; increased risk of cancer | Discharge from factories and dry cleaners | ||
Toluene | 1 | 1 | Nervous system, kidney, or liver problems | Discharge from petroleum factories | ||
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs) | none5 | 0.10 | Liver, kidney or central nervous system problems; increased risk of cancer | Byproduct of drinking water disinfection | ||
Toxaphene | zero | 0.003 | Kidney, liver, or thyroid problems; increased risk of cancer | Runoff/leaching from insecticide used on cotton and cattle | ||
2,4,5-TP (Silvex) | 0.05 | 0.05 | Liver problems | Residue of banned herbicide | ||
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene | 0.07 | 0.07 | Changes in adrenal glands | Discharge from textile finishing factories | ||
1,1,1-Trichloroethane | 0.20 | 0.2 | Liver, nervous system, or circulatory problems | Discharge from metal degreasing sites and other factories | ||
1,1,2-Trichloroethane | 0.003 | 0.005 | Liver, kidney, or immune system problems | Discharge from industrial chemical factories | ||
Trichloroethylene | zero | 0.005 | Liver problems; increased risk of cancer | Discharge from petroleum refineries | ||
Vinyl chloride | zero | 0.002 | Increased risk of cancer | Leaching from PVC pipes; discharge from plastic factories | ||
Xylenes (total) | 10 | 10 | Nervous system damage | Discharge from petroleum factories; discharge from chemical factories | ||
Radionuclides | MCLG1 (mg/L)4 | MCL2 or TT3 (mg/L)4 | Potential Health Effects from Ingestion of Water | Sources of Contaminant in Drinking Water | ||
Beta particles and photon emitters | none5 | 4 millirems per year | Increased risk of cancer | Decay of natural and man-made deposits | ||
Gross alpha particle activity | none5 | 15 picocuries per Liter (pCi/L) | Increased risk of cancer | Erosion of natural deposits | ||
Radium 226 and Radium 228 (combined) | none5 | 5 pCi/L | Increased risk of cancer | Erosion of natural deposits | ||
Microorganisms | MCLG1 (mg/L)4 | MCL2 or TT3 (mg/L)4 | Potential Health Effects from Ingestion of Water | Sources of Contaminant in Drinking Water | ||
Giardia lamblia | zero | TT8 | Giardiasis, a gastroenteric disease | Human and animal fecal waste | ||
Heterotrophic plate count | N/A | TT8 | HPC has no health effects, but can indicate how effective treatment is at controlling microorganisms. | n/a | ||
Legionella | zero | TT8 | Legionnaire's Disease, commonly known as pneumonia | Found naturally in water; multiplies in heating systems | ||
Total Coliforms (including fecal coliform and E. Coli) | zero | 5.0%9 | Used as an indicator that other potentially harmful bacteria may be present10 | Human and animal fecal waste | ||
Turbidity | N/A | TT8 | Turbidity has no health effects but can interfere with disinfection and provide a medium for microbial growth. It may indicate the presence of microbes. | Soil runoff | ||
Viruses (enteric) | zero | TT8 | Gastroenteric disease | Human and animal fecal waste |
Contaminant | Secondary Standard |
Aluminum | 0.05 to 0.2 mg/L |
Chloride | 250 mg/L |
Color | 15 (color units) |
Copper | 1.0 mg/L |
Corrosivity | noncorrosive |
Fluoride | 2.0 mg/L |
Foaming Agents | 0.5 mg/L |
Iron | 0.3 mg/L |
Manganese | 0.05 mg/L |
Odor | 3 threshold odor number |
pH | 6.5-8.5 |
Silver | 0.10 mg/L |
Sulfate | 250 mg/L |
Total Dissolved Solids | 500 mg/L |
Zinc | 5 mg/L |
Notes
1 Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) - The maximum level of a contaminant in drinking water at which no known or anticipated adverse effect on the health effect of persons would occur, and which allows for an adequate margin of safety. MCLGs are non-enforceable public health goals.
4 Units are in milligrams per Liter (mg/L) unless otherwise noted.
8 The Surface Water Treatment Rule requires systems using surface water or ground water under the direct influence of surface water to (1) disinfect their water, and (2) filter their water to meet criteria for avoiding filtration so that the following contaminants are controlled at the following levels:
9 No more than 5.0% samples total coliform-positive in a month. (For water systems that collect fewer than 40 routine samples per month, no more than one sample can be total coliform-positive). Every sample that has total coliforms must be analyzed for fecal coliforms. There cannot be any fecal coliforms.10 Fecal coliform and E. coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated witih human animal wastes. Microbes in these wastes can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms.
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Interesting Reads:
THE PREPPER'S CANNING & PRESERVING BIBLE: [13 in 1] Your Path to Food Self-Sufficiency. Canning, Dehydrating, Fermenting, Pickling & More, Plus The Food Preservation Calendar for a Sustainable Pantry
The Backyard Homestead: Produce all the food you need on just a quarter acre! Paperback
The Citizens' Guide to Geologic Hazards: A Guide to Understanding Geologic Hazards Including Asbestos, Radon, Swelling Soils, Earthquakes, Volcanoes
The Uninhabitable Earth: Life After Warming
Book: The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History Paperback