DRINKING WATER POLLUTANTS
National Primary Drinking Water Regulations
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/mcl.html#mcls
Inorganic Chemicals
Contaminant MCLG1 (mg/L)2 MCL or TT1 (mg/L)2 Potential Health Effects from Ingestion of Water
Sources of Contaminant in Drinking Water
Antimony 0.006 0.006 Increase in blood cholesterol; decrease in blood sugar
Discharge from petroleum refineries; fire retardants; ceramics; electronics; solder
Arsenic 070. 010 as of 01/23/06 Skin damage or problems with circulatory systems, and may
have increased risk of getting cancer
Erosion of natural deposits; runoff from orchards, runoff from glass & electronics production wastes
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 allergic dermatitis
Discharge from steel and pulp mills; erosion of natural deposits
Copper 1.3 TT8; Action Level=1.3 Short term exposure: Gastrointestinal distress
Long term exposure: Liver or kidney damage
People with Wilson's Disease should consult their personal
doctor if the amount of copper in their water exceeds the action level
Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits
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 TT8; Action Level=0.015 Infants and children: Delays in physical or mental
development; children could show slight deficits in
attention span and learning abilities
Adults: Kidney problems; high blood pressure
Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits
Mercury (inorganic) 0.002 0.002 Kidney damage
Erosion of natural deposits; discharge from refineries and factories; runoff from landfills and croplands
Nitrate (measured as Nitrogen) 10 10 Infants below the age of six months who drink water
containing nitrate in excess of the MCL could become
seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms
include shortness of breath and blue-baby syndrome.
Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks, sewage; erosion of natural deposits
Nitrite (measured as Nitrogen) 1 1 Infants below the age of six months who drink water
containing nitrite in excess of the MCL could become
seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms
include shortness of breath and blue-baby syndrome.
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 drug factories