Harmful Substances in groundwater
There are 4 groups of contaminants in groundwater...
1. Microbial Pathogens
Pathogens (bacteria, viruses, and parasites) in drinking water are serious health risks. They get into drinking water when the source is has come in contact with sewage and animal waste, or when wells are not properly sealed and/or constructed.
They can cause gastroenteritis, salmonella infection, dysentery, shigellosis, hepatitis, and giardiasis.
2. Organics
Only a few of the toxic organic chemicals that occur drinking water are regulated by drinking water standards. This group of contaminants includes:
3. Inorganics
These contaminants include toxic metals like arsenic, barium, chromium, lead, mercury, and silver. These metals can get into your drinking water from natural sources, industrial processes, and the materials used in your plumbing system.
Toxic metals are regulated in public water supplies because they can cause acute poisoning, cancer, and other health effects.
Nitrate is another inorganic contaminant. The nitrate in mineral deposits, fertilizers, sewage, and animal wastes can contaminate water. Nitrate has been associated with "blue baby syndrome" in infants.
4. Radioactive Elements
Radon is a radioactive contaminant that results from the decay of uranium in soils and rocks. It is usually more of a health concern when it enters a home as a soil gas than when it occurs in water supplies. Radon in air is associated with lung cancer.
1. Microbial Pathogens
Pathogens (bacteria, viruses, and parasites) in drinking water are serious health risks. They get into drinking water when the source is has come in contact with sewage and animal waste, or when wells are not properly sealed and/or constructed.
They can cause gastroenteritis, salmonella infection, dysentery, shigellosis, hepatitis, and giardiasis.
2. Organics
Only a few of the toxic organic chemicals that occur drinking water are regulated by drinking water standards. This group of contaminants includes:
- Trihalomthanes (THMs), which are formed when chlorine in treated drinking water combines with naturally occurring organic matter.
- Pesticides, including herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides.
- Volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), which include solvents, degreasers, adhesives, gasoline additives, and fuels additives. Some of the common VOCs are: benzene, trichloroethylene (TCE), styrene, toluene, and vinyl chloride.
3. Inorganics
These contaminants include toxic metals like arsenic, barium, chromium, lead, mercury, and silver. These metals can get into your drinking water from natural sources, industrial processes, and the materials used in your plumbing system.
Toxic metals are regulated in public water supplies because they can cause acute poisoning, cancer, and other health effects.
Nitrate is another inorganic contaminant. The nitrate in mineral deposits, fertilizers, sewage, and animal wastes can contaminate water. Nitrate has been associated with "blue baby syndrome" in infants.
4. Radioactive Elements
Radon is a radioactive contaminant that results from the decay of uranium in soils and rocks. It is usually more of a health concern when it enters a home as a soil gas than when it occurs in water supplies. Radon in air is associated with lung cancer.