List of Common Contaminants

Category	Contaminant	EPA MCL (mg/L)	Potential Health effects from exposure above the MCL	Common sources of contaminate in drinking water
SOC	Alachlor	0.002	Eye, liver, kidney or spleen problems; anemia; increased risk of cancer	Runoff from herbicide used on row crops.
SOC	Aldicarb	0.003	Immune system and neurological problems	Runoff from pesticide use
SOC	Aldicarb Sulfone	0.003	Immune system and neurological problems	Runoff from pesticide use
SOC	Aldicarb Sulfoxide	0.004	Immune system and neurological problems	Runoff from pesticide use
IOC	Alkalinity	n/a	High alkaline water has an objectionable taste	Alkalinity of water is a measure of how much acid it can neutralize.
RAD	Gross Alpha	15 pCi/L	Increased risk of cancer	Erosion of natural deposits of certain minerals that are radioactive and may emit a form of radiation known as alpha radiation
METAL	Aluminum	0.05-0.2	Possible link to Alzheimer’s Disease; Possible liver and kidney problems	Erosion of natural deposits; runoff from landfills and recycling facilities
METAL	Antimony	0.006	Increase in blood cholesterol; decrease in blood sugar.	Discharge from petroleum refineries; fire retardants; ceramics; electronics; solder.
METAL	Arsenic	0.010	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 and electronics production waste.
SOC	Atrazine	0.003	Cardiovascular system or reproductive problems.	Runoff from herbicide used on row crops.
METAL	Barium	2	Increase in blood pressure	Discharge of drilling wastes; discharge from metal refineries; erosion of natural deposits
VOC	Benzene	0.005	Anemia; decrease in blood platelets; Increased risk of cancer	Discharge from factories; leaching from gas storage tanks and landfills
SOC	Benzo(a)pyrene (PAHs)	0.0002	Reproductive difficulties; increased risk of cancer	Leaching from linings of water storage tanks and distribution lines
METAL	Beryllium	0.004	Intestinal lesions	Discharge from metal refineries and coal-burning factories; discharge from electrical, aerospace, and defense industries
RAD	Gross Beta	4 millirems per year	Increased risk of cancer	Decay of natural and man-made deposits of certain minerals that are radioactive and may emit forms of radiation known as photons and beta radiation
METAL	Cadmium	0.005	Kidney damage	Corrosion of galvanized pipes; erosion of natural deposits; discharge from metal refineries; runoff from waste batteries and paints
METAL	Calcium	n/a	Calcium is a dietary mineral	Erosion of natural deposits
SOC	Carbofuran	0.04	Problems with blood, nervous system, or reproductive system	Leaching of soil fumigant used on rice, alfalfa and other plants
VOC	Carbon Tetrachloride	0.005	Liver problems; increased risk of cancer	Discharge from chemical plants and other industrial activities
SOC	Chlordane	0.002	Liver or nervous system problems; increased risk of cancer	Residue of banned termiticide
IOC	Chloride	250	Unpleasant taste	Discharge from industrial effluents, urban runoff from de-icing salt; erosion of natural deposits
VOC	Chlorobenzene	0.1	Liver or kidney problems	Discharge from chemical and Agricultural chemical factories.
METAL	Chromium (total)	0.1	Allergic dermatitis	Discharge from steel and pulp mills; erosion of natural deposits
METAL	Copper	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
IOC	Cyanide (as free cyanide)	0.2	Nerve damage or thyroid problems	Discharge from steel/metal factories; discharge from plastic and fertilizer factories
SOC	2,4-D	0.07	Kidney, liver, or adrenal gland problems	Runoff from herbicide used on row crops
SOC	Dalapon	0.2	Minor kidney changes	Runoff from herbicide use
SOC	1,2-Dibromo-3- chloropropane (DBCP)	0.0002	Reproductive difficulties; increased risk of cancer	Runoff/leaching from soil fumigant used on soybeans, cotton, pineapples, and orchards
VOC	1,2-Dichlorobenzene	0.6	Liver, kidney, circulatory system problems	Discharge from industrial chemical factories
VOC	1,4-Dichlorobenzene	0.075	Anemia; liver, kidney or spleen damage; changes in blood	Discharge from industrial chemical factories
VOC	1,2-Dichloroethane	0.005	Increased risk of cancer	Discharge from industrial chemical factories
VOC	1,1-Dichloroethene	0.007	Liver problems	Discharge from industrial chemical factories
VOC	cis-1,2-Dichloroethene	0.07	Liver problems	Discharge from industrial chemical factories
VOC	trans-1,2-Dichloroethene	0.1	Liver problems	Discharge from industrial chemical factories
VOC	Methylene Chloride	0.005	Liver problems; increased risk of cancer	Discharge from drug and chemical factories
VOC	1,2-Dichloropropane	0.005	Increased risk of cancer	Discharge from industrial chemical factories
SOC	bis(2-ethylhexyl)adipate	0.4	Weight loss, liver problems, or possible reproductive difficulties	Discharge from chemical factories
SOC	bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate	0.006	Reproductive difficulties; liver problems; increased risk of cancer	Discharge from rubber and chemical factories
SOC	Dinoseb	0.007	Reproductive difficulties	Runoff from herbicide used on soybeans and vegetables
SOC	Diquat	0.02	Cataracts	Runoff from herbicide use
SOC	Endothall	0.1	Stomach and intestinal problems	Runoff from herbicide use
SOC	Endrin	0.002	Liver problems	Residue of banned insecticide
VOC	Ethylbenzene	0.7	Liver and kidney problems	Discharge from petroleum refineries
SOC	1,2-Dibromoethane (EDB)	0.00005	Problems with liver, stomach, reproductive system, or kidneys; increased risk of cancer	Discharge from petroleum refineries
IOC	Fluoride	2	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
SOC	Glyphosate	0.7	Kidney problems; reproductive problems	Runoff from herbicide use
DBP	Haloacetic acids (HAA5)	0.060	Increased risk of cancer	Byproduct of drinking water disinfection
METAL	Hardness, Total	n/a	n/a	Erosion of natural deposits
SOC	Heptachlor	0.0004	Liver damage; increased risk of cancer	Residue of banned insecticides
SOC	Heptachlor epoxide	0.0002	Liver damage; increased risk of cancer	Breakdown product of Heptachlor
SOC	Hexachlorobenzene	0.001	Liver or kidney problems; reproductive difficulties: increased risk of cancer	Discharge from metal refineries and agricultural chemical factories
SOC	Hexachlorocyclopentadiene	0.05	Kidney or stomach problems	Discharge from chemical factories
METAL	Iron	0.3	Possible liver problems; unpleasant metalic taste	Erosion of natural deposits; corrosion from cast iron pipes or steel
METAL	Lead	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
SOC	Lindane	0.0002	Liver or kidney problems	Runoff from insecticide used on cattle, lumber and gardens
METAL	Magnesium	n/a	Magnesium is a dietary mineral	Erosion of natural deposits
METAL	Manganese	0.05	Neurological effects, infertility, muscle pain, decreased emotion and change in activity level.	Erosion of natural deposits. Runoff from steel battary and ceramic factories.
METAL	Mercury (inorganic)	0.002	Kidney damage	Erosion of natural deposits; discharge from refineries and factories; runoff from landfills and croplands
SOC	Methoxychlor	0.04	Reproductive difficulties	Runoff/leaching from insecticide used on fruits, vegetables, alfalfa, livestock
VOC	Methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE)	n/a	Possible cancer risk	leaking gasoline storage tanks, pipelines and emissions
IOC	Nitrates, Total	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
SOC	Oxamyl (Vydate)	0.2	Slight nervous system effects	Runoff from insecticide used on apples, potatoes, and tomatoes
SOC	Pentachlorophenol	0.001	Liver or kidney problems; increased risk of cancer	Discharge from wood preserving factories
IOC	pH	n/a	High or low pH can cause the water to taste or smell bad.	pH is a figure expressing the acidity or alkalinity of water with a scale of 1 to 14 on which 7 is neutral, lower values are more acidic and higher numbers are more alkaline or basic.
SOC	Picloram	0.5	Liver problems	Runoff from herbicide use
SOC	PCBs (total)	0.0005	Skin changes; thymus gland problems; immune deficiencies; reproductive or nervous system difficulties; increased risk of cancer	Runoff from landfills; discharge of waste chemicals; used in electrical transformers
METAL	Potassium	n/a	Increased risk of hyperkalemia	Erosion of natural deposits
RAD	Radium 226 and 228	5 pCi/L	Increased risk of cancer	Erosion of natural deposits
METAL	Selenium	0.05	Hair or fingernail loss; numbness in fingers or toes; circulatory problems	Discharge from petroleum refineries; erosion of natural deposits; discharge from mines
METAL	Silver	0.1	Skin discoloration; graying of the white part of the eye	Erosion of natural deposits
SOC	Simazine	0.004	Problems with blood	Runoff from herbicide use
METAL	Sodium	n/a	Increase risk of high blood pressure; Unpleasant taste	Erosion of natural deposits
IOC	Sulfate	250	Unpleasant taste and odor	Erosion of natural deposits
SOC	Styrene	0.1	Liver, kidney & circulatory system problems	Discharge from rubber and plastic factories; leaching from landfills
VOC	Tetrachloroethylene	0.005	Liver problems; increased risk of cancer	Discharge from factories and dry cleaners
METAL	Thallium	0.002	Hair loss; changes in blood; kidney, intestine, or liver problems	Leaching from ore-processing sites; discharge from electronics, glass, and drug factories
VOC	Toluene	1	Nervous system, kidney, or liver problems	Discharge from petroleum factories; or underground gasoline tanks
MICRO	Total Coliform (includes E. coli)	zero presence	Indicate whether potentially harmful bacteria may be present	Coliforms are naturally present in the environment.
DBP	Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs)	0.080	Liver, kidney or central nervous system problems; increased risk of cancer	Byproduct of drinking water disinfection
SOC	Toxaphene	0.003	Kidney, liver & thyroid problems; increased risk of cancer	Runoff/leaching from insecticide used on cotton and cattle.
SOC	2,4,5-TP (Silvex)	0.05	Liver problems	Residue of banned herbicide
VOC	1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene	0.07	Changes in adrenal glands	Discharge from textile finishing factories
VOC	1,1,1-Trichloroethane	0.2	Liver, nervous system, or circulatory problems	Discharge from metal degreasing sites and other factories
VOC	1,1,2-Trichloroethane	0.005	Liver, kidney, or immune system problems	Discharge from industrial chemical factories
VOC	Trichloroethene	0.005	Liver problems; increased risk of cancer	Discharge from metal degreasing sites and other factories
IOC	Turbidity	n/a	Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of water. It is used to indicate water quality and filtration effectiveness. Turbid water can cause short term symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches.	Soil erosion and runoff and discharges
VOC	Vinyl chloride	0.002	Increased risk of cancer	Leaching from PVC pipes; discharge from plastic factories
VOC	Xylenes (total)	10	Nervous system damage	Discharge from petroleum factories and chemical factories
METAL	Zinc	5	Metallic taste	Erosion of natural deposits