Contaminant |
WHO (mg/L) |
EPA (mg/L) |
Potential Health Effects from Long-Term Exposure | Sources of Contaminant in Drinking Water |
---|---|---|---|---|
As | 0.010 | 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 wastes |
Ba | 7 | 2 | Increase in blood pressure | Discharge of drilling wastes; discharge from metal refineries; erosion of natural deposits |
Cd | 0.003 | 0.005 | Kidney damage | Corrosion of galvanized pipes; erosion of natural deposits; discharge from metal refineries; runoff from waste batteries and paints |
Cr (total) |
0.050 | 0.100 | Allergic dermatitis | Discharge from steel and pulp mills; erosion of natural deposits |
Cu | 2 | 1.300 | Liver or kidney damage | Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits |
Hg (inorganic) |
0.006 | 0.002 | Kidney damage | Erosion of natural deposits; discharge from refineries and factories; runoff from landfills and croplands |
Pb | 0.010 | 0.015 | Kidney problems; high blood pressure | Corrosion of household plumbing systems |
Sb | 0.020 | 0.006 | Increase in blood cholesterol; decrease in blood sugar | Discharge from petroleum refineries; fire retardants; ceramics; electronics; solder |