Poisons in drinking water
This page has the list of contaminants which is regulated by the US Safe Drinking Water Act. It indicates the maximum contaminant levels, possible sources, health effects and treatment options for each.
You can jump to a particular section by using links below:
Microbiological contaminants
Inorganic contaminants
Pesticides
Organic contaminants
The following abbreviations are used:
MCL - maximum allowable contaminant levels, ppm unless otherwise stated;
SIO - source / industrial occurrence
HE - health effects
T - treatment
UV - ultraviolet
RO - reverse osmosis
All figures are in ppm (parts per million), unless stated otherwise
Microbiological contaminants in tap water
Coliform
MCL less than one colony/100 ml;
SIO - raw sewage, septic tank leakage, animal feces;
Health effects - affects digestive tract. Presence in water may indicate possiblepresence of other bacteria;
T - chlorination, UV irradiation, distillation;
Giardia Lamblia
MCL - zero;
SIO - human and animal feces;
HE - stomach cramps, intestinal distress (Giardiasis);
T - filtration, chlorination, UV irradiation, distillation;
Legionella
MCL - zero;
SIO - found in water aerosols such as vegetable misters;
Health problems - causes Legionnaires' disease, Pontiac fever;
T - filtration, chlorination, UV irradiation;
Turbidity
MCL - 0.5-1.0 NTU (nephelometric turbidity unit)
SIO - erosion, runoff and discharges
Health effects - interferes with disinfection
T - filtration, distillation, granular activated carbon, RO
Inorganic contaminants in tap water
Antimony
MCL - 0.006;
SIO - fire retardants, ceramics, electronics, fireworks, solder;
HE - cancer;
T - coagulation and filtration, submicron filtration, RO, ultrafiltration, distillation;
Arsenic
MCL - 0.05;
SIO - defoliants, soil sterilants, wood treatment compounds. Used in textile mills, paint and ink formulation, petroleum refining, porcelain enameling, pharmaceutical manufacturing, ore mining and dressing, foundries and metals manufacturing;
Health problems - malignant tumors of skin and lungs. Affects nervous system;
T - ion exchange, RO, distillation, activated alumina, lime softening, coagulation with filtration;
Asbestos
MCL - 7 MFL (million fibers per liter);
SIO - natural geologic deposits, insulation, fireproofing materials, cement pipe, brake pads;
Health effects - probable cause of cancer;
T - filtration, RO;
Barium
MCL - 2.0;
SIO - geologic deposits of barite or witherite ore;
HE - affects nervous system and circulatory system;
T - ion exchange, RO, distillation, lime softening;
Beryllium
MCL - 0.004
SIO - electrical, aerospace and defense industries;
HE - bone damage, lung damage;
T - coagulation and filtration, submicron filtration and activated carbon, activated alumina, cation exchange, RO, distillation, electrodialysis;
Cadmium
MCL - 0.005;
SIO - geologic deposits. Found in fungicides, batteries and paint enamels. Used in textile mills, timber-product processing, petroleum refining, paint and ink formulation, ore mining and dressing, pharmaceutical manufacturing and foundries;
The largest source of cadmium contamination for the city dwellers are roads, streets and highways, as cadmium is used in tire manufacturing. Plenty of cadmium dust is left on the roads as the tires rub against them. Eventually that cadmium finds its way into sewers and ground water.
Health effects - kidney problems, bronchitis, anemia, high blood pressure (hypertension), enzymatic disorders (cadmium interferes with zinc metalloenzymes, of which more than 70 are produced by human organism)
T - ion exchange, RO, distillation, lime softening, coagulation and filtration, corrosion control
Chromium
MCL - 0.1;
SIO - geologic deposits. Used in leather tanning, iron and steelmanufacturing, coal mining, textile mills, gum and wood chemicals, pharmaceutical manufacturing, petroleum refining, rubber processing and foundries
Health problems - liver and kidney disorders, affects skin and digestive system
T - ion exchange, RO, distillation, lime softening, coagulation and filtration
Copper
MCL - 1.0
SIO - corrosion of interior household and building pipes
Health effects - stomach and intestinal disorders. Wilson's disease (accumulation of copper in tissues in people who have a genetic metabolic disorder)
T - ion exchange, RO, distillation;
Cyanide
MCL - 0.2;
SIO - electroplating, steel, plastics, mining, fertilizer;
HE - thyroid damage, nervous system damage;
T - chemical oxidation and disinfection at pH>10, anion exchange, RO, distillation, electrodialysis;
Fluoride
MCL - 4.0;
It is unclear why such a high level is indicated as maximum allowable. Consumption of water with 4 ppm fluoride content over a period of time would cause bone damage (skeletal fluorosis) and other health problems.
SIO - geologic deposits, added to public water supplies as fluorosilicic acid, sodium silicofluoride or sodium fluoride at a concentration of 1 ppm;
HE - fluorosis or mottling, a brown discoloration of teeth;
The list of fluoridating agents in this EPA document is incomplete; hydrofluosilicic acid and ammonium fluosilicate are also used.
And also, somehow the effect of fluorides is only mentioned in connection with teeth. In reality, it affects the entire skeleton.
As a result of reaction with fluoride ions, hydroxiapatite, the natural mineral component of the bone, is replaced with fluoroapatite, which renders the bone physiologically dead, since it is no longer able to respond to hormonal stimulation.
Since fluoroapatie is denser, this change in the mineral component of the bone is presented by the proponents of water fluoridation as a beneficial effect.
T - ion exchange, RO, distillation, activated alumina;
Lead
MCL - 0.015 (action level);
SIO - Solder and other plumbing products, batteries, gasoline (as tetraethyl lead). Used in explosives manufacturing, textile mills, petroleum refining, paint and ink formulation, rubber processing, porcelain enameling and foundries;
Health effects - affects central nervous and reproductive systems and kidneys. Causes hypertension;
T - ion exchange, RO, distillation, coagulation and filtration, corrosion control, activated carbon;
Mercury
MCL - 0.002;
SIO - fungicides, bactericides in antifouling paints and mildew-proofing preparations. Also found in thermometers and barometers. Used in coal mining, textile mills, timber product processing, petroleum refining, rubber processing, paint and ink formulation;
HE - affects nervous system and kidneys;
T - activated carbon, lime softening, RO, coagulation and filtration with powdered activated carbon, distillation
Nickel
MCL - 0.1;
SIO - metal alloys, electroplating, batteries, chemical production
HE - heart damage, liver damage;
T - cation exchange, RO, distillation, electrodialysis
Nitrate (as N)
MCL - 10.0;
SIO - fertilization, sewage, naturally forming mineral deposits,feedlot runoff;
HE- methoglobinemia ("Blue Baby" syndrome);
T - ion exchange, RO, distillation;
Nitrite (as N)
MCL - 1.0;
(the rest of the data is the same as for nitrates)
Selenium
MCL - 0.05;
SIO - Natural geologic deposits, commonly found as a trace element in animal feeds, used in textile mills, timber processing, porcelain enameling, pharmaceutical manufacturing and foundries;
Health effects - affects nervous system. Causes irritation to mucous membranes and dermatitis;
T - lime softening, RO, coagulation and filtration, activated alumina, distillation;
Silver
MCL - 0.05 (0.1 secondary limit);
SIO - natural geologic deposits. Used as a sterilant. Found in battery manufacturing, plating operations and medical and pharmaceutical processing;
Health damage - irritant to skin and other body tissues;
T - ion exchange, RO, distillation;
Thallium
MCL - 0.002;
SIO - electronics, drugs, alloys, glass;
HE - kidney damage, liver damage, brain damage and intestinal damage;
T - cation exchange, activated alumina, distillation;
Pesticides in tap water
Aldicarb
(MCL - 10.0)
Aldicarb Sulfone (MCL - 0.003);
Aldicarb Sulfoxide (MCL - 0.002);
Carbofuran (MCL - 0.004);
SIO - agricultural insecticides;
Health damage - affect nervous system, respiratory system, kidneys and liver.
Probable cause of cancer;
T - activated carbon;
Chlordane
MCL - 0.04;
SIO - used on rodents, insects. Restricted since 1980;
HE - affects nervous system, respiratory system, kidneys and liver.
Probable cause of cancer;
T - activated carbon;
Endrin
MCL - 0.0002;
SIO - agricultural insecticide;
HE - liver damage, kidney damage, heart damage;
T - activated carbon;
Heptachlor
MCL - 0.0004;
SIO - agricultural insecticide;
Health damage - affects nervous system, respiratory system, kidneys and liver.
Probable cause of cancer;
T - activated carbon;
Heptachlor Epoxide
MCL - 0.0002;
SIO - pesticide production byproduct;
Health damage - affects nervous system, respiratory system, kidneys and liver,
Probable cause of cancer;
T - activated carbon;
Hexachlorobenzene
MCL - 0.001;
SIO - pesticide production byproduct;
HE - cancer;
T - activated carbon;
Hexachlorocyclopentadiene
MCL - 0.05;
SIO - agricultural insecticide;
HE - cancer;
T - activated carbon, aeration;
Lindane
MCL - 0.0002;
SIO - agricultural insecticide;
HE - affects nervous system, respiratory system, kidneys and liver.
Probable cause of cancer;
Methoxychlor
MCL - 0.04;
SIO - insecticide used on apples, potatoes, tomatoes;
HE - affects nervous system, respiratory system, kidneys and liver.
Probable cause of cancer;
T - activated carbon;
Oxamyl
MCL - 0.2;
SIO - agricultural insecticide;
HE - kidney damage;
T - activated carbon;
Toxaphene
0.003;
SIO - agricultural insecticide;
HE - affects nervous system, kidneys and liver. Probable cause of cancer;
T - activated carbon;
2,4-D : MCL - 0.07
2,4,5-TP (Silvex) : MCL - 0.05;
Alachlor : MCL - 0.002;
Atrazine : MCL - 0.003;
SIO - agricultural insecticides;
Health effects - affect nervous system, reproductive system, respiratory system, kidneys and liver, heart.
Probable cause of cancer;
T - activated carbon;
Dalapon
MCL - 0.2;
SIO - herbicide used on orchards, beans, coffee, lawns, roads andrailways;
Health damage - kidney damage, liver damage;
T - activated carbon;
Dinoseb
MCL - 0.007;
SIO - runoff of herbicide from crop and non-crop applications;
HE - thyroid damage, damage to reproductive organs;
T - activated carbon;
Diquat
MCL - 0.02;
SIO - runoff of herbicide on land and aquatic weeds;
HE - kidney damage, liver damage, eye damage;
T - activated carbon
Endothall
MCL - 0.1;
SIO - used on crops, land and aquatic weeds;
HE - kidney damage, liver damage, gastrointestinal tract damage;
T - activated carbon
Glyphosphate
MCL - 0.7;
SIO - used on grass, weeds, brush;
Health damage - kidneys and liver;
T - activated carbon
Pentachlorophenol
MCL - 0.001;
SIO - agricultural herbicide and wood preservative;
Health effects - affects nervous system, reproductive system, respiratory system, kidneys and liver, heart. Probable cause of cancer;
T - activated carbon
Picloram
MCL - 0.5;
SIO - used on broadleaf and woody plants;
HE - kidney damage, liver damage;
T - activated carbon
Simazine
MCL - 0.004;
SIO - used on grass sod, some crops, aquatic algae;
HE - cancer;
T - activated carbon
Organic contaminants in tap water
1,1 Dichloroethylene
MCL - 0.007;
SIO - used in the manufacturing dyes, plastics, perfumes, paintsand adhesives;
HE - affects kidneys and liver and can cause nausea;
T - activated carbon
1,1,1-Trichlorethane
MCL - 0.2;
SIO - used in the manufacturing of pesticides, plastics and metals;
HE - affects nervous system, causes narcosis and probably cancer;
T - activated carbon
1,1,2-Trichlorethane
MCL - 0.005;
SIO - solvent in rubber products, chemical production waste;
Health damage - kidney damage, liver damage, nervous system damage;
T - activated carbon, aeration
1,2 Dichlorobenzene
MCL - 0.6;
SIO - used in the manufacturing of fumigants, insecticides, waxes, resins, rubber and asphalt;
Health damage - affects lungs, liver and kidneys;
T - activated carbon
1,2 Dichloroethane
MCL - 0.005;
SIO - used in the manufacturing of gasoline, paint, varnish, metal degreasers and insecticide fumigants;
HE - kidney damage, liver damage, nausea;
T - activated carbon
1,2 Dichloropropane
MCL - 0.005;
SIO - used in insecticide fumigants, dry cleaning fluids and in the manufacturing of resins, waxes and petroleum products;
HE - affects lungs, liver and kidneys;
T - activated carbon
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene
SIO - herbicide production, dye carrier;
Health damage - liver damage, kidney damage;
T - activated carbon, aeration
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