Water Contamination and Human Health

Water Contamination Contamination is caused by pollution from foreign matter such as microorganisms, chemicals, industrial or other wastes, or sewage. Many forms of water contamination can be harmful to human health. Contamination can occur naturally, but it is mostly due to human activity.

Common Causes of Contamination Human and animal sewage Leakage from underground storage tanks Urban run-off Mines Landfills and waste dumps Industrial emissions and waste disposal Pesticides Agricultural run-off from crops

Types of Contaminants Water contaminants can be broken into the following categories: –Microorganisms –Disinfectants –Disinfection byproducts –Inorganic chemicals –Organic chemicals –Radionuclides

Example Contaminants Microbial contaminants include bacteria, viruses, and parasites such as: –Cytosporidium –Giardia lambia –Legionella –E. coli –Enteroviruses

Example Contaminants Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Examples include: –Chlorine –Bromate –Chlorite Inorganic Chemicals Examples include: –Arsenic –Barium –Cadmium –Chromium –Copper –Cyanide –Mercury –Nitrates/Nitrites

Example Contaminants Organic Chemicals Examples include: –Acrylamide –Benzene –Carbon tetrachloride –PCBs –Styrene –Vinyl chloride Radionuclides Examples include: –Radium –Radon –Uranium

Drinking Water Standards Public water supplies are legally required to meet national standards meant to protect public health by limiting the levels of contaminants in drinking water. Private water supplies from wells are not regulated. It is up to well owners to have their water tested.

Drinking water is often tested for the following: Total coliforms Fecal coliforms Ammonium pH Chlorine Chromium Copper Cyanide Iron Manganese Phosphates Silica Sulfates Nitrates Nitrites Radon Lead Mercury Turbidity Hardness Drinking Water Testing

Source: Conditions Requiring Testing

Mercury Lead Radon Ammonium nitrogen pH Chlorine Chromium Copper Cyanide Iron Nitrates Phosphates Silica Sulfide You will test both the Williams’ well water as well as the water you collected from a local source for the following contaminants: Water Test

Mercury is a naturally occurring element found in many rocks including coal. When coal is burned, mercury is released into the environment. Mercury in the air eventually settles into water or onto land where it can be washed into water. Once deposited, certain microorganisms can change mercury into methylmercury, a highly toxic form that builds up in fish, shellfish, and animals that eat fish. Mercury

Lead is a naturally occurring bluish-gray metal found in small amounts in the earth's crust. Lead can be found in all parts of our environment. Much of it comes from human activities including burning fossil fuels, mining, and manufacturing. Lead

Radon is a cancer causing, radioactive gas. Radon comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water and gets into the air. Radon can get into any type of building and result in a high indoor radon level. The greatest exposure occurs at home, where you spend most of your time. Radon

Ammonium is produced when microorganisms break down organic nitrogen products such as urea and proteins in manure. Ammonia can lead to eutrophication, or nutrient over-enrichment, of surface waters. –The overabundance of nutrients (particularly nitrogen and phosphorus) can lead to the over-growth of algae and the resulting “blooms” can cause taste and odor problem and sometimes involve toxin-producing species. Ammonium

pH is an expression of hydrogen ion concentration in water. pH indicates the degree of basicity or acidity of a solution ranked on a scale of 0 to 14, with pH 7 being neutral. –Low pH indicates acidity and high pH indicates basicity Water should be neutral with a pH close to 7. –Chemical contamination tends to make water acidic or basic pH

The gaseous or liquid form of chlorine (CL2) is a water additive used by municipal water systems to control microbes. Chlorine

Chromium, a metallic element, is found in rocks, soil, plants, and animals. It is also used in steel making, metal plating, leather tanning, paints, dyes, and wood preservatives. Chromium-3 has relatively low toxicity and would be a concern in drinking water only at very high levels of contamination, unlike chromium-6 and -0, which are more toxic and pose potential health risks to people. Chromium

Copper is a metal found in natural deposits such as ores containing other elements. Copper is widely used in household plumbing materials. Copper may cause health problems if present in public or private water supplies in amounts greater than the drinking water standard set by EPA. Copper

Cyanide is a carbon-nitrogen chemical unit. The most commonly used form, hydrogen cyanide, is mainly used to make compounds and other synthetic fibers and resins. Cyanide may cause health problems if present in public or private water supplies in amounts greater than the drinking water standard set by EPA. Cyanide

Iron is a trace element needed by plants and animals in small amounts. Iron is derived from minerals in the soil and underlying rocks. Presence of iron in water results in “hard” water and creates an unpleasant odor and taste. Iron is not considered to present a risk to human health. Iron

Nitrates and nitrites are nitrogen-oxygen chemical units which combine with various organic and inorganic compounds. The greatest use of nitrates is as a fertilizer. Once taken into the body, nitrates are converted to nitrites. Nitrates may cause health problems if present in amounts greater than the drinking water standard set by EPA. Nitrates

Phosphorus is one of the key elements necessary for growth of plants and animals. Phosphates in high amounts are often due to use of fertilizers and organic pesticides. Phosphates do not affect human health unless present in very high amounts. Phosphates

Silica, the chemical compound silicon dioxide, is most commonly found in nature as sand or quartz Silica in drinking water does not pose a health risk for humans. Silica

Sulfates are one form of sulfur species found in water. Pesticide residuals and manufacturing wastes are sources of pollutant sulfur species. Sulfates are reduced by a strain of bacteria to hydrogen sulfide, which give the water a rotten egg smell. Sulfates in large amounts may cause negative health effects. Sulfide