Document wrMxMGyn63wE32xz1n6grEbpo

drinking Water Contaminants | Safewater| Water | US EPA Page 1 of 16 Drinking Water Contaminants You are here: EPA Home Water Safewater Drinking Water Contaminants List of Contaminants & their MCLs Microorganisms Disinfectants Disinfection Byproducts Inorganic Chemicals Organic Chemicals Radionuclides Information on this section Alphabetical List (PDF) (6 pp, 924 K) (About PDF) EPA 816-F-09-0004, May 2009 Microorganisms Contaminant MCLG1 (mg/L) 2 MCL or n-i (mg/L) 2 Potential Health Effects from Long-Term Exposure Above the MCL (unless specified as short-term) Sources of Contaminant in Drinking Water Cryptosporidium zero (pdf file) Gastrointestinal illness (e.g., Human and animal diarrhea, vomiting, cramps) fecal waste Giardia lamblia zero Gastrointestinal illness (e.g., Human and animal diarrhea, vomiting, cramps) fecal waste Heterotrophic plate count n/a TT2 HPC has no health effects; it is HPC measures a an analytic method used to range of bacteria measure the variety of that are naturally bacteria that are common in present in the water. The lower the environment concentration of bacteria in drinking water, the better maintained the water system is. Legionella zero tt^ Legionnaire's Disease, a type Found naturally in of pneumonia water; multiplies in heating systems Total Conforms (including fecal zero 5.0%Not a health threat in itself; it Coliforms are is used to indicate whether naturally present in http://www.epa.gov/safewater/contaminants/index.html 10/5/2009 Drinking Water Contaminants | Safewater| Water | US EPA Page 2 of 16 coliform and E. Coli\ Turbidity n/a Viruses (enteric) zero other potentially harmful bacteria may be present^ the environment; as well as feces; fecal coliforms and E. coli only come from human and animal fecal waste. j-pi Turbidity is a measure of the Soil runoff cloudiness of water. It is used to indicate water quality and filtration effectiveness (e.g., whether disease-causing organisms are present). Higher turbidity levels are often associated with higher levels of disease-causing microorganisms such as viruses, parasites and some bacteria. These organisms can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches. jj3 Gastrointestinal illness (e.g., Human and animal diarrhea, vomiting, cramps) fecal waste Disinfection Byproducts Contaminant MCLG1 (mg/L) 2 MCL or tt! (mg/L) 2 Potential Health Effects from Ingestion of Water Bromate zero 0.010 Increased risk of cancer Sources of Contaminant in Drinking Water Byproduct of drinking water disinfection Chlorite 0.8 1.0 Anemia; infants & young children: nervous system effects Byproduct of drinking water disinfection Haloacetic acids n/a 0.060 (HAA5) Increased risk of cancer Byproduct of drinking water disinfection http ://www. epa.gov/safewater/contaminants/index.html 10/5/2009 Drinking Water Contaminants | Safewater| Water | US EPA Page 3 of 16 Iota] Trihalomethanes fTTHMsl n/afi 0.080 Liver, kidney or central nervous system problems; increased risk of cancer Byproduct of drinking water disinfection Disinfectants Contaminant MRDLG1 (mg/L)2 Chloramines MPDLG--11 fas CIU MRDL1 (mg/L)2 Potential Health Effects from Ingestion of Water MRDL=4.0i Eye/nose irritation; stomach discomfort, anemia Sources of Contaminant in Drinking Water Water additive used to control microbes Chlorine fas Chi MRDLG=4i MRDL=4.01 Eye/nose irritation; stomach discomfort Water additive used to control microbes Chlorine dioxide fas CIOU MRDLG^O.81 MRDL=0.81 Anemia; infants & Water additive used to young children: nervous control microbes system effects Inorganic Chemicals MCLG1 Contaminant (mg/L) MCL or TT1 Potential Health Effects from Ingestion 2 (mg/L)2 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 02 0.010 as of Skin damage or problems Erosion of natural 01/23/06 with circulatory systems, deposits; runoff from and may have increased orchards, runoff from risk of getting cancer glass & electronicsproduction wastes http ://www. epa. gov/safewater/contaminants/index.html 10/5/2009 Drinking Water Contaminants | Safewater| Water | US EPA Page 4 of 16 Asbestos (fiber >10 micrometers') 7 million fibers per liter 7MFL Increased risk of developing benign intestinal polyps Decay of asbestos cement in water mains; erosion of natural deposits Barium 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 0.1 0.1 Allergic dermatitis Discharge from steel and pulp mills; erosion of natural deposits Copper 1.3 jjS. Action Short term exposure: Corrosion of household Level=1.3 Gastrointestinal distress plumbing systems; erosion of natural Long term exposure: deposits 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 http://www.epa.gov/safewater/contaminants/index.html 10/5/2009 Drinking Water Contaminants | Safewater| Water | US EPA Page 5 of 16 Cyanide fas free cyanide1) 0.2 0.2 Nerve damage or thyroid Discharge from problems steel/metal factories; discharge from plastic and fertilizer factories Fluoride 4.0 4.0 Bone disease (pain and Water additive which tenderness of the promotes strong teeth; bones); Children may get erosion of natural mottled teeth deposits; discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories Lead zero TT8; Action Infants and children: Corrosion of household Level=0.015 Delays in physical or plumbing systems; mental development; erosion of natural children could show slight deposits deficits in attention span and learning abilities Adults: Kidney problems; high blood pressure 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 Runoff from fertilizer six months who drink use; leaching from septic water containing nitrate tanks, sewage; erosion in excess of the MCL of natural deposits could become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms include shortness of breath and blue-baby syndrome. Nitrite (measured as Nitrogen) 1 1 Infants below the age of Runoff from fertilizer six months who drink use; leaching from septic water containing nitrite in excess of the MCL could become seriously ill and, http://www.epa.gov/safewater/contaminants/index .html 10/5/2009 Drinking Water Contaminants | Safewater| Water | US EPA Page 6 of 16 Selenium Thallium 0.05 0.0005 if untreated, may die. Symptoms include shortness of breath and blue-baby syndrome. tanks, sewage; erosion of natural deposits 0.05 Hair or fingernail loss; Discharge from numbness in fingers or petroleum refineries; toes; circulatory erosion of natural problems deposits; discharge from mines 0.002 Hair loss; changes in blood; kidney, intestine, or liver problems Leaching from oreprocessing sites; discharge from electronics, glass, and drug factories Organic Chemicals Contaminant Acrylamide Alachlor Atrazine Benzene MCLG1 (mg/L) 2 zero MCL or TT1 (mg/L)2 TT2 Potential Health Effects from Ingestion of Water Sources of Contaminant in Drinking Water Nervous system or Added to water blood problems; during increased risk of sewage/wastewater cancer treatment zero 0.002 Eye, liver, kidney Runoff from or spleen herbicide used on problems; anemia; row crops increased risk of cancer 0.003 0.003 Cardiovascular system or reproductive problems Runoff from herbicide used on row crops zero 0.005 Anemia; decrease Discharge from in blood platelets; factories; leaching http: //www. epa. gov/safewater/contaminants/index. html 10/5/2009 Drinking Water Contaminants | Safewater| Water | US EPA Page 7 of 16 Benzofalpvrene fPAHsl Carbofuran Carbon tetrachloride Chlordane Chlorobenzene 2.4-D Dalapon 1.2-Dibromo-3chloropropane (DBCPi zero 0.04 zero zero 0.1 0.07 0.2 zero increased risk of from gas storage cancer tanks and landfills 0.0002 Reproductive difficulties; increased risk of cancer Leaching from linings of water storage tanks and distribution lines 0.04 Problems with blood, nervous system, or reproductive system Leaching of soil fumigant used on rice and alfalfa 0.005 Liver problems; increased risk of cancer Discharge from chemical plants and other industrial activities 0.002 Liver or nervous system problems; increased risk of cancer Residue of banned termiticide 0.1 Liver or kidney Discharge from problems chemical and agricultural chemical factories 0.07 Kidney, liver, or Runoff from adrenal gland herbicide used on problems row crops 0.2 Minor kidney changes Runoff from herbicide used on rights of way 0.0002 Reproductive difficulties; Runoff/leaching from soil fumigant http: //www. epa. gov/safewater/contaminants/index. html 10/5/2009 Drinking Water Contaminants Safewater| Water | US EPA Page 8 ( o-Dichlorobenzene 0.6 D-Dichlorobenzene 0.075 1.2-Dichloroethane zero 1.1-Dichloroethvlene 0.007 cis-1.2-Dichloroethvlene 0.07 trans-1.2-Dichloroethvlene 0.1 Dichloromethane zero 1.2-DichloroDroDane zero increased risk of cancer used on soybeans, cotton, pineapples, and orchards 0.6 Liver, kidney, or Discharge from circulatory system industrial chemical problems factories 0.075 Anemia; liver, kidney or spleen damage; changes in blood Discharge from industrial chemical factories 0.005 Increased risk of cancer Discharge from industrial chemical factories 0.007 Liver problems Discharge from industrial chemical factories 0.07 Liver problems Discharge from industrial chemical factories 0.1 Liver problems Discharge from industrial chemical factories 0.005 Liver problems; increased risk of cancer Discharge from drug and chemical factories 0.005 Increased risk of cancer Discharge from industrial chemical factories http://www.epa.gov/safewater/contaminants/index.html 10/5/2009 Drinking Water Contaminants | Safewater| Water | US EPA Page 9 of 16 Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate 0.4 0.4 Weight loss, liver Discharge from problems, or chemical factories possible reproductive difficulties. Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate zero 0.006 Reproductive difficulties; liver problems; increased risk of cancer Discharge from rubber and chemical factories Dinoseb 0.007 0.007 Reproductive difficulties Runoff from herbicide used on soybeans and vegetables Dioxin ('2.3.7.8-TCDD'i zero 0.00000003 Reproductive difficulties; increased risk of cancer Emissions from waste incineration and other combustion; discharge from chemical factories Diauat 0.02 0.02 Cataracts Runoff from herbicide use Endothall 0.1 0.1 Stomach and Runoff from intestinal problems herbicide use Endrin 0.002 0.002 Liver problems Residue of banned insecticide EDichlorohydrin zero TT2 Increased cancer Discharge from risk, and over a industrial chemical long period of factories; an time, stomach impurity of some problems http ://www. epa.gov/safewater/contaminants/index.html 10/5/2009 Drinking Water Contaminants | Safewater| Water | US EPA Page 10 of 16 water treatment chemicals Ethylbenzene 0.7 0.7 Liver or kidneys problems Discharge from petroleum refineries Ethvlene dibromide zero 0.00005 Problems with Discharge from liver, stomach, petroleum reproductive system, or refineries kidneys; increased risk of cancer Glvphosate 0.7 0.7 Kidney problems; Runoff from reproductive herbicide use difficulties Heptachlor zero 0.0004 Liver damage; Residue of banned increased risk of termiticide cancer Heptachlor epoxide zero 0.0002 Liver damage; Breakdown of increased risk of heptachlor cancer Hexachloro benzene zero 0.001 Liver or kidney Discharge from problems; metal refineries reproductive and agricultural difficulties; chemical factories increased risk of cancer Hexachlorocvclopentadiene 0.05 0.05 Kidney or stomach Discharge from problems chemical factories Lindane 0.0002 0.0002 Liver or kidney problems Runoff/leaching from insecticide http://www.epa.gov/safewater/contaminants/index.html 10/5/2009 Drinking Water Contaminants | Safewater| Water | US EPA Page 11 of 16 Methoxvchlor Oxamvl fVvdatel Polychlorinated biDhenvIs CPCBsl PentachloroDhenol Picloram Simazine Stvrene 0.04 0.2 zero zero 0.5 0.004 0.1 used on cattle, lumber, gardens 0.04 Reproductive difficulties Runoff/leaching from insecticide used on fruits, vegetables, alfalfa, livestock 0.2 Slight nervous Runoff/leaching system effects from insecticide used on apples, potatoes, and tomatoes 0.0005 Skin changes; Runoff from thymus gland landfills; discharge problems; immune of waste chemicals deficiencies; reproductive or nervous system difficulties; increased risk of cancer 0.001 Liver or kidney problems; increased cancer risk Discharge from wood preserving factories 0.5 Liver problems Herbicide runoff 0.004 Problems with blood Herbicide runoff 0.1 Liver, kidney, or Discharge from circulatory system rubber and plastic problems factories; leaching from landfills http://www.epa.gov/safewater/contaminants/index.html 10/5/2009 Drinking Water Contaminants | Safewaterj Water | US EPA Page 12 of 16 Tetrachloroethvlene Toluene Toxaphene 2.4.5-TP fSilvext 1.2.4-Trichlorobenzene 1.1.1-Trichloroethane 1.1.2-Trichloroethane Trichloroethylene Vinvl chloride zero 1 zero 0.05 0.07 0.20 0.003 zero zero 0.005 Liver problems; increased risk of cancer Discharge from factories and dry cleaners 1 Nervous system, Discharge from kidney, or liver petroleum factories problems 0.003 Kidney, liver, or thyroid problems; increased risk of cancer Runoff/leaching from insecticide used on cotton and cattle 0.05 Liver problems Residue of banned herbicide 0.07 Changes in adrenal glands Discharge from textile finishing factories 0.2 Liver, nervous Discharge from system, or metal degreasing circulatory sites and other problems factories 0.005 Liver, kidney, or immune system problems Discharge from industrial chemical factories 0.005 Liver problems; increased risk of cancer Discharge from metal degreasing sites and other factories 0.002 Increased risk of Leaching from PVC cancer pipes; discharge http://www.epa. gov/safewater/contaminants/index.html 10/5/2009 Drinking Water Contaminants | Safewater| Water | US EPA Page 13 of 16 Xylenes ftotall from plastic factories 10 10 Nervous system Discharge from damage petroleum factories; discharge from chemical factories Radionuclides Contaminant Alpha particles MCLG1 MCL or (mg/L) TT1 2 (mg/L)2 Potential Health Effects from Ingestion of Water none2 zero 15 picocuries Increased risk of cancer per Liter (pCi/L) Sources of Contaminant in Drinking Water Erosion of natural deposits of certain minerals that are radioactive and may emit a form of radiation known as alpha radiation Beta particles and photon emitters none2 4 ------------ millirems increased risk of cancer zer0 per year 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 Radium 226 and Radium 228 (combined) none2 zero 5 pCi/L Increased risk of cancer Erosion of natural deposits Uranium zero Increased risk of cancer, 30 ug/L kidney toxicity as of 12/08/03 Erosion of natural deposits http://www.epa.gov/safewater/contaminants/index.html 10/5/2009 Drinking Water Contaminants | Safewater| Water | US EPA Page 14 of 16 Notes 1 Definitions: Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) - The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety and are non-enforceable public health goals. Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) - The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology and taking cost into consideration. MCLs are enforceable standards. Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG) - The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants. Treatment Technique - A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water. Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL) - The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants. 2 Units are in milligrams per liter (mg/L) unless otherwise noted. Milligrams per liter are equivalent to parts per million. 3 EPA's surface water treatment rules require systems using surface water or ground water under the direct influence of surface water to (1) disinfect their water, and (2) filter their water or meet criteria for avoiding filtration so that the following contaminants are controlled at the following levels: Cryptosporidium: Unfiltered systems are required to include Cryptosporidium in their existing watershed control provisions. Giardia lamblia: 99.9% removal/inactivation Viruses: 99.99% removal/inactivation Legionella: No limit, but EPA believes that if Giardia and viruses are removed/inactivated, according to the treatment techniques in the Surface Water Treatment Rule, Legionella will also be controlled. Turbidity: For systems that use conventional or direct filtration, at not time can turbidity (cloudiness of water) go higher than 1 nephelolometric turbidity unit NTU), and samples for turbidity must be less than or equal to 0.3 NTU in at least 95 pervent of the samples in any month. Systems that use filtration other than the conventional or direct filtration must follow state limits, which must include turbidity at no time exceeding 5 NTU. HPC: No more than 500 bacterial colonies per milliliter. Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment: Surface water systems or (GWUDI) systems serving fewer than 10,000 people must comply with the applicable Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule provisions (e.g. turbidity standards, individual filter monitoring, Cryptosporidium removal requirements, updated watershed control requirements for unfiltered systems). Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule This rule applies to all surface water systems or ground water systems under the direct influence of surface water. The rule targets additional Cryptosporidium treatment requirements for higher risk systems and includes provisions to reduce risks from uncovered finished water storage facilities and to ensure that the systems maintain microbial protection as they take steps to reduce the formation of disinfection byproducts. Filter Backwash Recycling; The Filter Backwash Recycling Rule requires systems that recycle to return specific recycle flows through all processes of the system's existing conventional or direct filtration system or at an alternate location approved by the state. http://www.epa.gov/safewater/contaminants/index.html 10/5/2009 Drinking Water Contaminants | Safewater| Water | US EPA Page 15 of 16 4 No more than 5.0% samples total coliform-positive in a month. (For water systems that collect fewer than 40 routine samples per month, no more than one sample can be total coliform-positive per month.) Every sample that has total coliform must be analyzed for either fecal conforms or E. coli if two consecutive TC-positive samples, and one is also positive for E.coli fecal conforms, system has an acute MCL violation. 5 Fecal coliform and E. coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Disease-causing microbes (pathogens) in these wastes can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. These pathogens may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, and people with severely compromised immune systems. 6 Although there is no collective MCLG for this contaminant group, there are individual MCLGs for some of the individual contaminants: Trihalomethanes: bromodichloromethane (zero); bromoform (zero); dibromochloromethane (0.06 mg/L): chloroform (0.07mg/L). Flaloacetic acids: dichloroacetic acid (zero); trichloroacetic acid (0.02 mg/L); monochloroacetic acid (0.07 mg/L). Bromoacetic acid and dibromoacetic acid are regulated with this group but have no MCLGs. 7 Lead and copper are regulated by a Treatment Technique that requires systems to control the corrosiveness of their water. If more than 10% percent of tap water samples exceed the action level, water systems must take additional steps. For copper, the action level is 1.3 mg/L, and for lead it is 0.015 mg/L. 8 Each water system must certify, in writing, to the state (using third-party or manufacturer's certification) that when it uses acrylamide and epichlorohydrin are used to treat water, the combination (or product) of dose and monomer level does not exceed the levels specified, as follows: Acrylamide = 0.05% dosed at 1 mg/L (or equivalent) Epichlorohydrin = 0.01% dosed at 20 mg/L (or equivalent) National Secondary Drinking Water Regulations National Secondary Drinking Water Regulations (NSDWRs or secondary standards) are nonenforceable guidelines regulating contaminants that may cause cosmetic effects (such as skin or tooth discoloration) or aesthetic effects (such as taste, odor, or color) in drinking water. EPA recommends secondary standards to water systems but does not require systems to comply. However, states may choose to adopt them as enforceable standards. National Secondary Drinking Water Regulations - The complete regulations regarding these contaminants available from the Code of Federal Regulations Web Site. For more information, read Secondary Drinking Water Regulations: Guidance for Nuisance Chemicals. http://www.epa.gov/safewater/contaminants/index.html 10/5/2009 Drinking Water Contaminants | Safewater| Water | US EPA Page 16 of 16 List of National Secondary Drinking Water Regulations http://www.epa.g0v/safewater/c0ntaminants/index.html#sec Contaminant Last updated on Friday, Septembei Secondary Standard Aluminum Chloride Color Copper Corrosivity Fluoride Foaming Agents Iron Manganese Odor pH Silver Sulfate Total Dissolved Solids Zinc 0.05 to 0.2 mg/L 250 mg/L 15 (color units) 1.0 mg/L noncorrosive 2.0 mg/L 0.5 mg/L 0.3 mg/L 0.05 mg/L 3 threshold odor number 6.5-8.5 0.10 mg/L 250 mg/L 500 mg/L 5 mg/L Unregulated Contaminants This list of contaminants which, at the time of publication, are not subject to any proposed or promulgated national primary drinking water regulation (NPDWR), are known or anticipated to occur in public water systems, and may require regulations under SDWA. For more information check out the list, or vist the Drinking Water Contaminant Candidate List (CCL) web site. Drinking Water Contaminant Candidate List 2 Drinking Water Contaminant Candidate List fCCLj Web Site Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Program (UCM1 Information on specific unregulated contaminants MTBE (methyl-t-butyl ether) in drinking water http://www.epa.gov/safewater/contaminants/index.html 10/5/2009