List of Common Contaminants
Category |
Contaminant |
EPA MCL |
Potential Health effects from |
Common sources of |
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 |
RAD |
Gross Beta |
4 millirems |
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 |
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; |
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 |
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- |
0.0002 |
Reproductive difficulties; increased risk of cancer |
Runoff/leaching from soil fumigant |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
Erosion of natural deposits. Runoff from steel battary and ceramic factories. |
METAL |
Mercury (inorganic) |
0.002 |
Kidney damage |
Erosion of natural deposits; discharge |
SOC |
Methoxychlor |
0.04 |
Reproductive difficulties |
Runoff/leaching from insecticide used |
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 |
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 |
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; |
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 |
zero presence |
Indicate whether potentially harmful bacteria may be present |
Coliforms are naturally present in the |
DBP |
Total Trihalomethanes |
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 |
VOC |
1,1,2-Trichloroethane |
0.005 |
Liver, kidney, or immune system problems |
Discharge from industrial chemical |
VOC |
Trichloroethene |
0.005 |
Liver problems; increased risk of cancer |
Discharge from metal degreasing sites |
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 |