1. HEALTH EFFECTS OF CHEMICAL CONTAMINANTS Linda Himmelbauer Chemist U.S. EPA, Region VIII Nitrate/Nitrite Nitrate/Nitrite Radium*Uranium*Radon Radium*Uranium*Radon Iron * Manganese Iron * Manganese Sulfate* Fluoride* TDS Sulfate* Fluoride* TDS

2. ACUTE vs. CHRONIC n Acute - Symptoms show up in a short period of time (0-7 days) n Sub-Chronic - Symptoms show up in 7 days - 7 years. n Chronic - Symptoms show up in 7 years - lifetime.

3. Chronic: CARCINOGEN vs. NON-CARCINOGEN n Carcinogen - chemical found to cause cancer in laboratory animals or humans. n Non-Carcinogen - chemical found to cause disorders and diseases such as reproductive abnormalities, nervous system problems.

4. NITRATES & NITRITES n WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE? –Inorganic Ion –NO 3 - = Nitrate –NO 2 - = Nitrite – Potassium Nitrate, KNO 3

5. NITRATES & NITRITES n WHERE DO THEY COME FROM? n SEWAGE n FERTILIZERS n FEEDLOTS n GEOLOGICAL

6. NITRATES & NITRITES n WHAT DOES Nitrate DO? n Non-Carcinogenic n (+) essential nutrient for many photo- synthetic processes n Acute - Methaemoglobinaemia in bottle- fed infants “ blue baby syndrome” n Chronic - diuresis, increased starchy deposits, hemorrhaging of the spleen. n (-)Nitrate converts to Nitrite in the body

7. NITRATES & NITRITES n How to SAMPLE for NITRATE only n Container: PLASTIC or GLASS n Minimum Sample size: (100 mL) n Preservation: Analyze as soon as possible or refrigerate n Maximum storage time: 48 hours or 28 days if chlorinated

8. NITRATES & NITRITES n How to SAMPLE for NITRATE & NITRITES only n Container: PLASTIC (polyethylene, etc.) or GLASS n Minimum Sample size: (200 mL) n Preservation: H 2 SO 4 acid to pH <2, refrigerate n Maximum storage time: 28 days

9. NITRATES & NITRITES n INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS : n Units of Sample results = mg/L nitrate as N = mg/L nitrite as N n MCL for Nitrate = 10 mg/L n MCL for Nitrite = 1.0 mg/L (40 CFR Part 141)

10. NITRATES & NITRITES n FOLLOW- UP MONITORING for MCL EXCEEDANCES…. n Confirmation sample within 24 hours of being notified. n If samples cannot be collected, notify public and the system is allowed a maximum of two weeks to collect confirmation sample.

11. RADIUM/ URANIUM/ RADON n WHERE DOES IT COME FROM? n Natural Sources, Erosion of natural deposits n Human Activities

12. RADIUM/ URANIUM/ RADON n WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE? n All are ELEMENTS n Radon : Rn Atomic #: 86 n Radium : Ra Atomic #: 88 n Uranium: U Atomic #: 92

13. RADIUM, Ra RADON, Rn RADIUM, Ra RADON, Rn n

14. URANIUM, U n Uraninite, UO2 (Pitchblende on right)

15. RADIUM/ URANIUM/ RADON n WHAT DO THEY DO ? n Chronic Exposure n Carcinogenic n increased risk of cancer

16. RADIUM/ URANIUM/ RADON n How to SAMPLE n Container: PLASTIC or GLASS n Minimum Sample size: (500 mL to 18 L) n Type of Sample: Grab or 4 quarter composite n Preservation: acidify to pH <2 n Maximum storage time: up to 1-year

17. RADIUM/ URANIUM/ RADON RADIUM/ URANIUM/ RADON n INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS : n Units of Sample results = pCi/L “picocuries per Liter” n Action Level for gross alpha = 5 pCi/L n >5 pCi/L will trigger testing for Ra-226 n if Ra-226 > 3 pCi/L, must test for Rd-228 n MCL for combined Ra 226-228 = 5 pCi/L. n MCL for gross alpha = 15.0 pCi/L n MCL for Radon, Rn - to be released 8/99.

18. IRON & MANGANESE n WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE? n Fe, Iron Mn, Manganese

19. IRON & MANGANESE n WHAT DO THEY DO? n Secondary contaminants - for aesthetic value (40 CFR Part 143) n (+) Fe essential nutrient in human nutrition DW NOT considered a primary source. n Fe >.3 mg/L, Mn >.15 mg/L - stains laundry and plumbing fixtures, bad taste. n (-) can cause deposits in pipes

20. IRON & MANGANESE n How to SAMPLE n Container: PLASTIC (polyethylene, etc.) or GLASS n Minimum Sample size: (50 mL) can use same container for both analyses. n Type of Sample: Grab n Preservation: acidify to pH <2 with nitric acid (HNO3) n Maximum storage time: 6 months

21. IRON & MANAGANESE n INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS : n Units of Sample results Mn = mg/L Fe = mg/L n Secondary Standard Mn = 0.05 mg/L Fe = 0.3 mg/L

22. SULFATE n WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE? n Gypsum, CaSO 4 -2(H2O) Pyrite, FeS 2 n SO 4 2- n Naturally Occurring

23. SULFATE n Secondary Standard Sulfate =250 mg/L n WHAT DOES IT DO? n Taste and Odor problems n possible diarrhea health effects

24. SULFATE n How to SAMPLE n Container: PLASTIC or GLASS n Minimum Sample size: (50 mL) n Type of Sample: Grab n Preservation: refrigerate n Maximum storage time: 28 days

25. FLUORIDE n WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE? n Fluorite, CaF2 n F - n Naturally Occurring

26. FLUORIDE n Secondary Standard = 2.0 mg/L n What does it do? n Small amounts, help reduce tooth cavities. n In children whose teeth are forming, high F- exposure can cause dental fluorosis with visible changes in the teeth. n In adults, high fluoride over a long time can lead to skeletal fluorosis with denser bones, joint pain, and a limited joint movement.

27. FLUORIDE n How to SAMPLE n Container: PLASTIC n Minimum Sample size: (50 mL) n Type of Sample: Grab n Preservation: none required n Maximum storage time: 28 days

28. TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS, TDS n Dissolved solids come from rock dissolved by water. n Secondary Standard = 500 mg/L

29. TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS, TDS n How to SAMPLE n Container: PLASTIC or GLASS n Minimum Sample size: (200 mL recc.) n Preservation: refrigerate n Maximum storage time: 7 days (24 hour analysis preferred)