Metals Package 1-EPA Regulated

Contaminant

EPA MCL
(mg/L)

Potential Health effects from
exposure above the MCL

Common sources of
contaminate in drinking water

Antimony

0.006

Increase in blood cholesterol; decrease in blood sugar.

Discharge from petroleum refineries; fire retardants; ceramics; electronics; solder.

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.

Barium

2

Increase in blood pressure

Discharge of drilling wastes; discharge from metal refineries; erosion of natural deposits

Beryllium

0.004

Intestinal lesions

Discharge from metal refineries and
coal-burning factories; discharge from electrical, aerospace, and  defense industries

Cadmium

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

Allergic dermatitis

Discharge from steel and pulp mills; erosion of natural deposits

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

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

Mercury (inorganic)

0.002

Kidney damage

Erosion of natural deposits; discharge
from refineries and factories;  runoff from landfills and croplands

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

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