| Contaminant |
Potential Side Effects |
How did that get in my water? |
| Lead |
Children: Delays in physical or mental development; learning disabilities; attention deficit
Adults: kidney problems; high blood pressure |
Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits |
| Nitrate |
Infants under six months who ingest water containing excessive levels of nitrate could become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms include shortness of breath and blue baby syndrome |
Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks, sewage; erosion of natural deposits |
| Radon |
Increased risk of cancer |
Erosion of natural deposits into well water; also found in building material |
| Mercury |
Kidney damage |
Discharge from refineries and factories; runoff from landfills and croplands |
| Bromate |
Increased risk of cancer |
Bromate is a byproduct of some methods of water disinfection |
| Chlorine CI2 |
Eye/nose irritant; stomach discomfort; anemia |
Chlorine is an additive used to control microbes |
| Asbestos |
Increased risk of intestinal polyps |
Decay of asbestos cement in water mains and/or erosion of natural deposits |
| Barium |
Increased blood pressure |
Discharge from metal refineries, erosion of natural deposits, or discharge of drilling wastes |
| Cadmium |
Kidney damage |
Corrosion of galvanized pipes, runoff from waste batteries and paints, or erosion of natural deposits |
| Copper |
Gastrointestinal distress, liver and kidney damage, Wilson’s Disease |
Corrosion of household plumbing systems or erosion of natural deposits |
| Fluoride |
Bone disease, mottled teeth |
Public water systems often add fluoride to promote strong teeth |
| Uranium |
Increase risk of cancer |
Erosion of natural deposits |
