Waited States       .• ^',;'. :; .\''  '•.;•'••':,. .;.•-..'•. ;:'',"•• :••'•.'...•'
        Environmental Protection    Office of Water       EPA $11-F-95-002-C
 ;       Agency            : 4603     ;       October 1995

©EPA NATIONAL PRIMARY DRINKING
        WATER REGUlJVriONS


        Gontaminant Specific Fact Sheets
        Inorganic Chemicals - Consumer Version
         Asbestos        .    Lead
         Barium              Copper
         Cadmium            Antimony
         Chromium            Beryllium
         Mercury             Cyanide
         Nitrates/Nitrites        Nickel
         Selenium            Thallium

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•^N.

-------
                    United States
                    Environmental Protection
                   ;., Agency
                              Office of Water
                              4601
     EPA 811-F"95-002a-C
          October 1385
                    National Primary Drinking
                    Water Regulations
                    Asbestos
This is a factsheet about a chemical that may be found in some public
or private drinking water supplies, it may cause health problems if
found in amounts greater than the health standard set by the United
States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
                                                 DRINKING WATER
                                                 STANDARDS:

                                                   MCLG: .?MFL

                                                  , Met:   TMFL
WHAT is
ASBESTOS
AND HOW is IT USED?
   Asbestos is a fibrous mineral occurring in natural deposits. Because asbestos
 fibers are resistant to heat and most chemicals, they have been mined for use in
 over 3,000 different products, including roofing materials, brake pads, and cement
 pipe often used in distributing water to communities.
WHYIS ASBESTOS
BEING REGULATED?
   In 1974, Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act. This law requires EPA
 to determine safe levels of chemicals in drinking water which do or may cause
 health problems. These non-enforceable levels, based solely on possible health
 risks and exposure, are called Maximum Contaminant Level Goals.         ;
   The MCLG for asbestos has been set at 7 million fibers per liter of water (MFL)
 because EPA believes this level of protection would not cause any of the potential
 health problems described below.  "             .
   Based on this MCLG, EPA has set an enforceable standard called a Maximum
 Contaminant Level (MGL). MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as possible,
 considering the ability of public water systems to detect and remove contaminants
,, using suitable treatmenttechnologies.        •
   The MCL has also been; set at 7 M^FL because,EPA believes, given present
 technology and resources, this is the lowest level to which water systems can
 reasonably be required to remove this contaminant should it occur in drinking
 'water.  '   ',.•••''-.. ' :•"'•,:•:.[:•  '•'•-,•/.;._••  . ,'.; - .•';-• •-,   >;"-'1"  .-•;•• ;_ • \-•  '  .
   These drinking water standards and the regulations for ensuring these stan-
 dards are met, are called National Primary Drinking Water Regulations. All public
 water supplies must abide by these regulations.
WHAT ARE THE
HEALTH EFFECTS?
   Short-term: Asbestos is not known to cause any health problems when people
 are exposed to it at levels above the MCL for relatively short periods of time.
   Long-term: Asbestos has the potential to cause the following effects from a
 lifetime exposure at levels above the MCL: lung disease; cancer.
How MUCH ASBESTOS
IS PRODUCED AND   ^
RELEASED TO THE
ENVIRONMENT?
  Asbestos fibers may be released from natural sources such as erosion of
 asbestos-containing ores, but the primary source is through the wear or break-
 down of asbestos-containing materials, particularly from the wastewaters of
October 1995
               Consumer Version
Printed on Recycled Paper

-------
RELEASES TO WATER AND LAND:
1987 T01993 ,

                Water     Land
TOTALS (in pounds)   32.650   8.620.439
PA
LA
IX
AR
                   0
                   61
                   0
                 1.000
                   0
Top Industrial Sources*
Asbestos products     3.005
Alkalis, chlorine       1.973
Industrial orsanlcchems    0
Asphalt felts, coatings.     5
Auto parts             0.
Petroteum refining        0
Plastic pipes            0
Shipbuilding, repairing      0
                        2.945.049
                        2.256.400
                        1,737.200
                         568.227
                         480,000
                        2,510,227
                        2.256,404
                        1,230,000
                         871,067
                         563.694
                         314,560
                         235.200
                         211.400
 * Water/Land totals only Include facilities with
 releases greater than a certain amount- usually
 1000 to 10.000 tbs.
mining and other industries, and bythe use
of asbestos cement pipes in water supply
systems.
  From 1987 to 1993, according to the
Toxics Release Inventory, asbestos re-
leases to water and land totalled nearly 9
million Ibs. These releases were primarily
from asbestos products industries which
use asbestos in roofing materials, friction
materials, and cement. The largest re-
leases occurred in Pennsylvania and Loui-
siana,

  As a naturally occurring substance, as-
bestos can be present in surface .and
ground water. Small fibers; may be carried
long distances by water currents  before
settling. Asbestos fibers  do not bind  to
soils, but nevertheless do not  migrate to
ground water through soils. Asbestos is
not expected to accumulate in aquatic life.
                                                                           WHAT HAPPENS TO
                                                                           ASBESTOS
                                                                           WHEN IT IS RELEASED TO
                                                                           THE ENVIRONMENT?
  Theregulationforasbestosbecameeffectivein 1992. Between 1993 and 1995,   HOWWILL
EPArequiredyourwatersuppliertocollectwatersamplesonceand3nalyzethem   ASBESTOS
to.find out if asbestos is present above 7 MFL. If it is present above this level, the   BE DETECT
system must continue to monitor this contaminant once every 3 months.
  If contaminant levels are found to be consistently above the MCL, your water
suppliermusttakesteps to reducetheamount of asbestos so that it is consistently
below that level. The following treatment methods have been approved by EPA
for removing asbestos: Transmission Electron Microscopy.
                                                                           BE DETECTED IN AND
                                                                           REMOVED FROM
                                                                           MY DRINKING WATER?
   If the levels of asbestos exceed the MCL, the system must notify the public via  HowWLL /KWOM,/F
newspapers, radio, TV and other means. Additional actions, such as providing  AsBesTOS /s IN MY
alternative drinking water supplies, may be required to prevent senous risks to  DRINKING WATER?
public health.  ,
Learn more about your drinking water!

  EPA strongly encourages people to learn more
about their drinking water, and to support local efforts
to protect and upgrade the supply of safe drinking
water. Your water bill or telephone book's govern-
ment listings are a good starting point.
  Your local water supplier can give you a list of the
chemicals they test for in your water, as well as how
your water is treated.
                                               Your state Department of Health/Environment is also a
                                             valuable source of information.                 •
                                               For help in locating these agencies or for information on
                                             drinking water in general, call:                    •'
                                                EPA's Safe  Drinking Water Hotline: (800) 426,4791.
                                              * For additional information  on the uses and releases of
                                             chemicals in your state, contact the:                M
                                                Community Right-to-Know Hotline: (800) 535-0202.

-------
                     United States
                     Environmental Protection
                     •'Agency   .     ;  .}'.'
                                                   Office of Water
                                                   4601 , • .
     EPA811-F-95-002b-C
          .-October 1395
                     National
;j;;v.;;;.:--WEte"
 ^v;'-^
 This is a factsheet about a chemical that may be found in some public
 or private drinking water supplies. It may cause health problems if
 found in amounts greater than the health standard set by the United
 States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
                                                                       DRINKING WATER
                                                                       STANDARDS:

                                                                         MCLG:   2 PPM"

                                                                       ,  MCL:   2 PPM
 WHAT is
•BARIUM
 AND HOW IS IT USED?
                      Barium is a lustrous, machinable metal which exists in nature only in ores
                     containing mixtures of elements. It is used in making a wide varietyrof electronic
                     components, in metal alloys, bleaches, dyes, fireworks, ceramics .and-glass.'In-
                     particular, it is used in well drilling operations where it is directly released into the
                    'ground.'--'    • -•  ;   .' . '  •-. ','  ' -,'•:.,''..:    •. • '   " " •  '•'. ','•;   •;" -  ' '•   :
 WHY is BARIUM
 BEING REGULATED?
                      In 1974, Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act. This law requires EPA
                     to determine safe levels of chemicals in drinking water which, do or may cause
                     health problems. These non-enforceable levels, based solely on possible health
                     risks and exposure, are called Maximum Contaminant Level Goals.      •
                      The MCLG for barium has been set at 2 parts per million (ppm) because EPA
                     believes this. level of protection would not cause any of the potential, .health
                    problems described below.
                      Based on this MCLG, EPA has set an enforceable standard called a Maximum
                     Contaminant Level (MCL). MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as possible,
                     considering the ability of public water systems to detect and remove contaminants
                     using suitable treatment technologies.                            „
                      the MCL has also been set at 2 ppm because EPA believes, given present
                     technology and resources, this is the lowest leVel to which water systems can
                     reasonably be required to remove this contaminant should it occur in drinking
                    -water. .   ••',•'.-.•.•.', ". ,••;•'"  ' ..-'-.''..•'•   •-•'•' ^  ••   .-.-'..    •'"••'  .  • •• '-."-'
                      These drinking water standards and the regulations for ensuring these stan-
                     dards are met, are called National Primary Drinking WaterRegujatrons. All public.
                     water supplies must abide by these regulations.          .
WHAT ARE THE
HEALTH EFFECTS?
                      Short-term: EPA has found barium to potentially cause the following health
                    effects when people are exposed to it at levels above the MCL for relatively short
                    periods of time: gastrointestinal disturbances and muscular weakness.   .
                      Long-term; Barium has the potential to cause the following effects from a
                    lifetime exposure at levels above the MCL: high blood pressure.
October 1995
                                   Consumer Version
Printed on Recycled Paper

-------
  RELEASES TO WATER AND LAND:
  1987 ro 1993

                 Water
                          Land
  TOTALS (In pounds)  928.448   57.063.031
                   •  0  .14.5&.520
                   1,500-  13.42%.164
                     0   9.218,901
                         5.233.790
                         3.977.E17
Top Ten States *
AZ
ITT
VA
NM                  0
IL               34,000
TN                  0   2.586 >3
AL        •  ,    31,041   1.63C  i
PA              15,582   1;216,;^
TX              167,864    599.E35
NJ              20,905  .  705.666

Mijor Industries*
Copper smelting       1.500  31.958,310
Car parts, accessories   1,743   9,456,667
Industrial organtes    132,511   4,106,827
Inorganic pigments     5,261   3,672,45.1
Gray, ductile Iron   ' '  -0,   1,556,681
Steelworks, furnaces  256.582    679,999
Electrometallurgy      1,599    633,876
Paper mills        64,770    527,330

* Water/Land totals only include facilities with
releases greater than a certain amount- usually
1000 to 10,000 IDS.
  The most common ores are found in AK,
AR, CA, GA, KY, MO, NV, and TN. Barite
was produced at 38.mines in these states in
1973, with Nevada supplying 50% of the
tonnage. Barium  is released to water and
soil in the discharge and disposal of drilling
wastes, from the smelting of copper, and
the manufacture of motor vehicle parts and
accessories.
  From .1987 to  1993, according to the
Toxics Release Inventory barium compound
releases to land and water totalled over 57
million Ibs. These releases were primarily
from copper smelting industries, the larg-
est releases occurred in Arizona and Utah.
The largest direct releases to water .oc-
curred in Texas

  In water, the more toxic soluble  barium
salts are likely to be converted to insoluble
salts  which  precipitate.. Barium does not
bind  to  most soils and may migrate to
ground water.  It  has a  low tendency to
accumulate in aquatic life,,
  The regulation for barium became effective in 1992. Between 1993 arid 1995,
 EPA required your water supplier to collect water samples once and analyze them
 to find out if barium is present above 2 ppm. If it is present above this level, the
 system must continue to monitor this contaminant       .       .
  if contaminant levels are found to be consistently above the MCL, your water
 supplier must take steps to reduce the amount of barium so that it is consistently
 below that level. The following treatment methods have been approved by  EPA
 for removing barium: Ion Exchange, Reverse.Osmosis, Lime-Softeriing, Electro-
 dialysis.                  -             -   v       :      :

  If the levels of barium exceed the MCL, the system must notify the public via
 newspapers, radio, TV and other means. Additional actions, such as providing
 alternative drinking water supplies,  may be required  to prevent serious risks to
 public health.         ,    ,                       ,
                                                                           How MUCH BARIUM
                                                                           IS PRODUCED AND
                                                                           RELEASED TO THE
                                                                           ENVIRONMENT?
                                                                             WHAT HAPPENS TO
                                                                             BARIUM
                                                                             WHEN IT IS RELEASED TO
                                                                             THE ENVIRONMENT?
                                                                           HOW WILL          ,
                                                                           BARIUM
                                                                           BE DETECTED IN. AND
                                                                           REMOVED FROM
                                                                           MY DRINKING WATER?
                                                                            HOW WILL I KNOW IF
                                                                            BARIUM is IN MY DRINK-
                                                                            ING. WATER?
Learn more about your drinking water!

  EPA strongly encourages people to leam more   Your state Department of Health/Environment is also a
abouttheir drinking water, and to support local efforts valuable source of information.
to protect and upgrade the supply of safe drinking   For help in locating these agencies or for information on.
water. Your water bill or telephone book's govern- drinking water in general, call:
ment listings are a good starting point.           •  EPA>S Safe Drinking Water Hotline: (800) 426-4791.
  Your local water supplier can give you a list of the  ' For additional information on the uses and releases of
chemicals they test for in your water, as well as how chemicals inlyour state .contact the:
your water is treated.                             Community Right-to-Know Hotline: (800) 535-0202.
 October 1995
                                     • Consumer version
                                                                                        rage &

-------
                    United States
                    Environmental Protection;:
                    Agency    ;
                             Office of Water
                             4601
                     EPA8iT-F-95-002c-C
                          October 1995
   vvEPA
National
Water
Cadmium
      Drinking
ions
This is a factsheet about a chemical that may be found in some public
or private o'rinking water supplies. It may cause health problems if
found in amounts greater than the health standard set by the United
States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
                                                 DRINKING WATER
                                                 STANDARDS:    .

                                                   MCLG:  5PPB

                                                   MCL:   5 PPB
WHAT is  :
CADMIUM
AND HOW IS IT USED?
WHY is CADMIUM
BEING REGULATED?
WHATARETHE
HEALTH EFFECTS?
How MUCH CADMIUM
IS PRODUCED AND
RELEASED TO THE
ENVIRONMENT?
  Cadmium is a metal found in natural deposits as ores containing  other
elements. The greatest use of cadmium is primarily for metal plating and coating
operations, including transportation equipment, machinery and baking enamels,
photography, television phosphors. It is also used in nickel-cadmium and solar
batteries and in pigments.

[  In 1974, Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act. This law requires EPA
to determine safe levels of chemicals in drinking water which do or may cause
health problems. These non-enforceable levels, based solely on possible health
risksand exposure, are'-.called Maximum Contaminant Level Goals.
  The MCLG for cadmium has been set at 5 parts per billion (ppb) because EPA
believes this level of protection would hot cause any of the potential health
problems described below.
  Based on this MCLG, EPA has set an enforceable standard called a Maximum
Contaminant Level (MCL). MCLs are set as close to the MGLGs as possible,
considering the ability of public water systems to detect and. remove contaminants
using suitable treatment technologies.      v  y,      ;      . •    •'•-.,
  The MCL has also been set-at 5 ppb-because EPA believes, given present
technology and resources, this is the lowest level to which water systems can
reasonably be required to remove this contaminant if it occurs in drinking water.
  These drinking water standards and the regulations for ensuring these stan-
dards are met, are called National Primary Drinking Water Regulations. All public
water supplies must abide by these regulations.  .-,

  Short-term: EPA has found cadmium to potentially cause the following health
effects when people are exposed to it at levels above the MCL for relatively short
periods of time:  nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle cramps, salivation, sensory
disturbances, liver injury, convulsions,shock and renal failure.              7
  Long-term: Cadmium has trie potential to cause the following effects from a
lifetime exposure at levels above the MCL: kidney, liver, bone and blood damage,

  2.9 million \bs. of cadmiutri were produced in the US in 1986, and nearly twice
that amount was imported in the same year. Cadmium occurs naturally in zinc,
lead, copper and other ores which can serve as sources to ground and surface
waters, especially when in contact with soft, acidic waters. Major industrial
October 1995
               Consumer Version
                Printed oh Recycled Paper

-------
 RELEASES TO WATER AND LAND: '
 1987 TO 1993

                Water     Land

 TOTALS (In pounds)  31.487 •  2,059.574

 Top Sown States*
 AZ                503    43E.!35
 UT  '             1.750    371, tO
 MT                 0    31S.&35
 TN               2.700    288.781
 ID                 250    225,761
 MO               2,361    189,914
 WJ                 0    106.000
 Hijor Industries*
 Zinc, teaH smelting     5.061     831,48
 Copper smelting, refining 2,253     805,045
 Indust Inorganic chems   250     225,761
 Electroplating, anodizing   0 .    106,000
 Steetwotte. blast furnaces  5     13.000
 Inorganic pigments     5.140   '  '7.000

 * Water/Land totals only Include facilities with
 releases greater than a certain amount - usually
 1000 to 10.000 tbs.
life is great irfsome species, low in
 releases  of cadmium are due to wast-
 estreams and leaching of landfills, and from
 a variety of operations that  involve cad-
 mium orzinc. In particular, cadmium can be
 released to drinking water from the con fu-
 sion of some galvanized plumbing and water
 main pipe materials.   ,
   From 1987 to 1993, according to EPA's
 Toxic Chemical Release Inventory, cad-
 mium releases were primarily from zinc,
 lead  and copper smelting and refining in-
 dustries, with the largest releases occur-
 ring in Arizona and Utah.

   Some cadmium compounds are able to
 leach through soils to ground water. When
 cadmium compounds do bind to the sedi-
 ments of rivers, they can be more easily
 bioaccumulated or re-dissolved when sedi-
 ments are disturbed, such as during flood-
 ing. Its tendency to accumulate in aquatic
others.
WHATHAPPENS TO
CADMIUM
WHEN IT IS RELEASED TO
THE ENVIRONMENT?
  The regulation for cadmium became effective in 1992. Between 1993 and 1995,
EPA required your water supplier to collect water samples once and analyze them
to find out if cadmium is present above 5 ppb. If it is present above this level, the
system must continue to monitor this contaminant every 3 months.
  If contaminant levels are found to be consistently above the MCL, your water
supplier musttake steps to reduce the amount of cadmium so that it is consistently
below that level. The following treatment methods have been approved by EPA
for removing cadmium: Coagulation/Filtration, Ion Exchange, Lime Softening,
Reverse Osmosis.      '. •_••  -,;;,;	""•;,.:;.;.;,.' _.„;„:;'»,„'-, ^,,.,:::;..-..  .,.:,..

  If the.levels of cadmium exceed the MCL, the system must notify the public via
newspapers, radio, TV and other means. Additional actions, such as providing
alternative drinking water supplies, may be required to prevent serious risks to
public health.            .        .        '                   .          •
                                          HOWWILL
                                          CADMIUM
                                          BE DETECTED IN AND
                                          REMOVED FROM
                                          MYDRINKINGWATER?
                                           HOW WILL I KNOW IF
                                           CADMIUM is IN MY
                                           DRINKING WATER?
Learn more about your drinking water!

  EPA strongly encourages people to learn more
abouttheirdrinking water, and to support local efforts
to protect and upgrade the supply of safe drinking
water. Your water bill or telephone book's govern-
ment listings are a good starting point.  .
  Your local water supplier can give you a list of the
chemicals they test for in your water, as well  as how
your water is treated.
              Your state Department of Health/Environment is also a
            valuable source! of information.
              For help In locating these agencies or for information on
            drinking water in general, call:                r
            •  EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline: (800) 426-4791.
             'For additional information on the uses and releases of
            chemicals in your state, contact the:
              Community RighMo-Know Hotline: (800) 535-0202.
 October 1995
                                       Consumer version

-------
                     United States ;
                    ^Environmental Protection
                    -Agency"'    •'•      .'•!
                               Office Of Water
                               4601
     EPA8t1-F-95-002d-C
           October
   oEPA
 National
 Water
 Chromium
This is a factsheet about a chemical that may be found in some public
or private drinking water supplies. It may cause health problems if
found in amounts greater than the health standard set by the United
States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
                                                   DRINKING WATER  .
                                                   STANDARDS: '

                                                     MCLG:  0.1 PPM

                                                     MCL:   0.1 PPM'
 WHAT is
 CHROMIUM  ,
 AND HOW IS IT USED?
WHY is CHROMIUM
BEING REGULATED?
WHATARETHE
HEALTH EFFECTS?
How MUCH CHRO-
MIUM is PRODUCED
AND RELEASED TO
THE ENVIRONMENT?
   Chromium is a metal found  in natural deposits as ores containing  other
 elements. The greatest use of chromium is in metal alloys such as stainless steel;
 protective coatings on metal; magnetic tapes; and pigments for paints, cement,
 paper, rubber, composition floor covering and other materials. Its soluble forms
 are used in wood preservatives.

   In 1974, Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act; This law requires EPA
: to determine safe levels of chemicals in drinking water which do or may cause
 health problems! These non-enforceable levels, based solely on possible health
 risks arid exposure, are called Maximum Contaminant Level Goals.
   The MCLG for chromium has been set at 0.1 parts permillion (pprh) because
 EPA believes this level of protection would not cause any of the potential health
 problems described below.,:             ;        •       :
   Based on this MCLG, EPA has set an enforceable standard called a Maximum
 Contaminant Level (MCL). MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as possible,
  .'";;: "••': '•": • .   ' "••. y -'   • :'  '-.,.  "•;
   These drinking water standards, and the regulations for ensuring these stan-
 dards are met, are called National Primary Drinking Water Regulations. All public
 water supplies must abide by these regulations.              ''•/'...'

   Short-term: EPA has found chromium to potentially cause the following health
 effects when people are exposed to it at levels above the MCL for relatively short
 periods of time: skin irritation or ulceration.
   Long-term: Chromium has the potential to cause the following effects from a
 lifetime exposure at levels abovelhe MCL: damage to liver, kidney circulatory and
 nerve tissues; skin  irritation.           /

   Production of the most water soluble forms of chromium, the chromate and
 dichromates, was in the range of 250,000 tons in 1992. Though chromium occurs
 in nature mostly as chrome iron ore and is widely found in soils and plants, it is rare
October 1995
               Consumer Version'
'Printed on Recycled Paper

-------
 RELEASES TO WATER AND LAND:
 1987 TO 1993
                Water

 TOTALS (In pounds) 2,876,055
 Top Toil Stxtes •
 TX
 NC
 IN
 OH
 UT
 AR
 KY   *
 PA
 SA
 ID
102.079
 43.522
 85.570
 51,830
  1,750
  2,300
   255
110.149
679,721
 91,750
       ,   Land

       196.880.624
64.301,920
55.217,044
15.955.895
 8,319,600
 5.817.015
. 3,532,000
 2,491,519
 2.337,905
 1.404.698
 1,404,870
 Mijor Industries*
 IndusL organtes       3.272 120,707.814
 Steelworks, Blast turn. 609.174  16.638,880
 Bedrometanurgy  '   33.269  10.796.928
 Copper ameHing. refining 1,750   5.817.015
 Nonfamma smelting    2,300   3.532,000
 InoiBante pigments    88.721   1.375.700
 Pulp milts   •      985.800    224.198

 " Water/Lnad totals only include facilities with
 releases greater than a certain amount - usually
 1000 to 10,000 tes.        .  -
in natural waters, The two largest sources
of chromium emission  in the atmosphere
are from the chemical manufacturing  in-
dustry and combustion of natural gas, oil,
and coal.
  From 1987  to 1993, according to the
Toxics Release Inventory, chromium com-
pound releases to land and water totalled
nearly 200 million pounds. These releases
were primarily from industrial organic chemi-
cal industries. The  largest releases oc-
curred in Texas and North Carolina. The
largest direct releases to water occurred in
Georgia and Pennsylvania.

  When released to land, chromium com-
pounds bind to soil are not likely to migrate
to ground water, They are very persistent in
water as sediments. There is a high poten-
tial for accumulation of chromium in aquatic
life.
                                     The regulation for chromium became ef-
fective in 1992'. Between 1993 and 1995, EPA required your water supplier to
collect water samples once and analyze them to find out if chromium is present
above 0.1 ppm. If it is present above this level, the system must continue to
monitor this contaminant every 3 months.
  If contaminant levels are found to be consistently above the MCL, your water
supplier must take steps to reduce the amount of chromium  so  that  it  is
consistently  below  that level. The following  treatment  methods have been
approved by EPA for removing chromium: Coagulation/Filtration, Ion Exchange,
Reverse Osmosis, Lime Softening.

  Ifthe levels of chromium exceed the MCL, the system must notify the public via
newspapers, radio, TV and other means. Additional actions, such as providing
alternative drinking water supplies, may be required to prevent serious risks to
public health.
                                                            WHATHAPPENSTO
                                                            CHROMIUM
                                                            WHEN IT IS RELEASED TO
                                                            THE ENVIRONMENT?
                                                            HOW WILL
                                                            CHROMIUM.
                                                            BE DETECTED IN AND
                                                            REMOVED FROM
                                                            MY DRINKING WATER?
                                                             HOW WILL I KNOW IF
                                                             CHROMIUM is IN MY
                                                             DRINKING WATER?
Learn more about your drinking water!

  EPA strongly encourages people to learn more   Your state Department of Health/Environment is also a
abouttheirdrinking water, and to support local efforts valuable source of information.
to protect and upgrade the supply of safe drinking •_ For ne|p jn locating these agencies or for information .on
water. Your water bill or telephone book's govern- drinking water in general, call:         .
ment listings are a good starting point.            •  EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline: (800) 426-4791.
  Your local water supplier can give you a list of the  • For additional information on the uses and releases of
chemicals they test for in your water, as well as how chemicals in your state, contact the:
your water is treated.                             Community RighMo-Know Hotline: (800) 535-0202.

-------
                    United States
                    Environmental Protection
                    Agency
                             Office of Water
                             4601    ,
     EPA 811-F-95-D02 e-C
          October 1995
                    National Primary Drinking
                    Water Regulations
                    Mercury
This is a factsheet about a chemical that may be found in some public
or private drinking water supplies. It may cause health problems if
found in amounts greater than the health standard set by the United
States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
WHAT is
MERCURY
AND HOW IS IT USED?
DRINKING WATER
STANDARDS: •'
MCLG:
Met:
2 PPB
•2 PPB
   Mercury is a liquid metal found in natural deposits as ores containing other
 elements. Electrical products such as dry-cell batteries, fluorescent light bulbs,
 switches, and other control equipment account for 50% of mercury used.
WHY is MERCURY
BEING REGULATED?
WHAT ARE THE
.HEALTH EFFECTS?
   In 1974, Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act. This law requires EPA
 to determine safe levels of chemicals in drinking water which do or may cause
 health problems. These non-enforceable levels, based solely on .possible health
 risks and exposure, are called Maximum Contaminant Level Goals.
  The MCLG .for mercury has been set at 2 parts per billion (ppb) because EPA
 believes this level of protection would  not cause any of the potential health
 problems described below.
   Based on this MCLG, EPA has set an enforceable standard called a Maximum
 Contaminant Level (MCL). MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as possible,.
 considering the ability of public water systems to detect and remove contaminants
 using suitable treatment technologies.
 ''., The MCL has also been set at 2 ppb because EPA believes, given present
 technology and resources^ this is the lowest level to which  water systems can
 reasonably be required to remove  this contaminant should it occur in drinking
•-water..  . •   '--•  '/--.•';/.  ,:";; '   ••  '-''-/••-: '  .: '  ,.r; -'-,'' •. "'• •• ..
  These drinking water standards and the regulations for ensuring these stan-
 dards are met, are called National Primary Drinking Water Regulations. All public
 water supplies rnust abide by these regulations.


   Short-or Long-term: EPA has found meTcuryto potentially cause the following
 health effects when people are exposed to it at levels above the MGLfor relatively
 short periods of time: kidney damage.            ,                    .
How MUCH MERCURY
IS PRODUCED AND
RELEASED TO THE
ENVIRONMENT?
   Large amounts of mercury are released naturally from the earth's crust.
 Combustion of fossil fuels, metal smelters, cement manufacture, municipal
 landfills, sewage, metai refining operations, or most notably, from chloralkali
 plants are important sources of mercury release. Nearly 8 million Ibs. of mercury
: Were produced in the U.S. in 1986.
 October 1995
               Consumer Version
Printed on Recycled Paper

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RELEASES TO WATER AND LAND:
1987 TO 1993

TOTALS (In pounds)
Top Six States
TN
LA
DE
OH
AL
WV

.
Water
6.971

164
431
117
29
1,462
1,657

Mtjor Industries
Chemical, allied products12,269
Electric lamps
PapermHIs
0
2.500

Land
60,877

29,161
21,829
3.860
2,760
1,001
' 454
48!
001
74,720.
2,750
"0
                                   From 1987 to 1993, according to EPA's
                                 Toxic Chemical Release inventory, mer-
                                 cury releases to land and water totalled
                                 nearly 68,000 IDS. These  releases werei
                                 primarily from chemical and allied indus-
                                 tries. The largest releases occurred in Ten-
                                 nessee and Louisiana. The largest direct
                                 releases to water occurred in West Virginia
                                 and Alabama.


                                   Mercury is unique among metals in that it
                                 can evaporate when released to water or
                                 'soil.1'Also, microbes can convert inorganic
                                 forms of mercury to organic forms which
                                 can be accumulated by aquatic life.
                             WHATHAPPENSTO
                             MERCURY-
                             WHEN IT IS RELEASED TO
                             THE ENVIRONMENT?
                            OML.             •  •    -    •     • .  .        '
 • The regulation for mercury bepame effective in 1992. Between 1993 and 1995,
EPA required your water supplierto collect water samples once and analyze them
to find out if mercury is present above 2 ppb. If it is present above this level, the
system must continue to monitor this contaminant every 3 months.
  If contaminant levels are found to be consistently above the MCL, your water
supplier must take steps to reduce the amount of mercury so that it is consistently
below that level. The following treatment methods have been approved by EPA
for removing mercury: Coagulation/Filtration; Granular Activated Carbon; Lime
softening; Reverse osmosis.                                            :


  If the levels of mercury exceed the MCL, the system must notify the public via
newspapers, radio, TV and other means/Additional actions, such as providing
alternative drinking water supplies, may be required to prevent serious risks to
public health.        ,             '          ;     ^      :
                              How WILL
                              MERCURY
                              BE DETECTED IN AND
                              REMOVED FROM
                              MY DRINKING WATER?
                              MOW WILL I KNOW IF
                              MERCURY is IN MY
                              DRINKING WATER?
Learn more about your drinking water!

.  EPA strongly encourages people to learn more
abduttheir drinking water, and to support local efforts
to protect and upgrade the supply of safe drinking
water. Your water bill or telephone book's govern-
ment listings are a good starting point.  .
  Your local water supplier can give.you a list of the'
chemicals they test for in your water, as well as how
your water is treated.            .      .
  Your state Department of Health/Environment is also a
valuable source of information.
 ' For help in locating these agencies or for information on
drinking water in general, call:
•  EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline: (800) 426-4791.
 ; For addffional information on the uses and releases of
chemicals in your state, contact the:
  Community Right-to-Know Hotline: (800) 535-0202.
 October 1995
                                      Consumer version

-------
                    United States     '• - ..
                   ^Environmental Protection
                   'Agency     .  .    ' •
                             Office of Water
                             4601
     EPA 811-F-95-OQ2 f-C
          October t395
                    National Primary
                    Water Regulations
                    Nitrates and Nitrites
This is, a factsheet about 9 chemical that may be found in some
public or private drinking water supplies.  It may cause health
problems if found in amounts greater than the health standard set
by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
. DRINKING WATER
STANDARDS (PPM):
MCLG
Nitrate: 10
,. Nitrite: 1.


Met
10
1
WHAT ARE
NITRATES/NITRITES
AND HOW ARE THEY
USED?

WHY ARE NITRATES/
NITRITES
BEING REGULATED?
WHATARETHE   ;
HEALTH EFFECTS?
How MUCH NITRATES/
NITRITES
ARE PRODUCED AND
RELEASED TO THE
ENVIRONMENT?
  Nitrates and nitrites are nitrogen-oxygen chemical units which combines with
various organic and inorganic compounds. Once taken into the body, nitrates are
converted into nitrites. The greatest Uise of nitrates is as a fertilizer.

  In 1974, Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act. This law requires EPA
to determine safe levels of chemicals in drinking water which do or may cause
health problems. These non-enforceable levels, based solely on possible health
risks and exposure, are called Maximum Contaminant Level Goals.
  The MCLG for nitrates has been set at 10 parts permillion (ppm), and for nitrites
at 1 ppm, because EPA believes this level of .protection would not cause any of
the potential health problems described below.   :   ,         ;
  Based on this MCLG, EPA has set an enforceable standard called a Maximum
Contaminant Level (MCL). MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as possible,
considering the ability of public water systems to detect and remove contaminants
using suitable treatment technologies.
  The MCL for nitrates has been set at 10 ppm, and for nitrites at 1 ppm, because
EPA believes, giveni present technology andresources, this is the lowest level to
which water systems >can reasonably be required-to remove this contaminant
should it occur in drinking water.
  these drinking water standards and the regulations for ensuring the.se stan-
dards are met, are called National Primary Drinking Water Regulations. All public
water supplies must abide by these regulations •

  Short-term: Excessive levels of nitrate in drinking water have caused serious
illness and sometimes death. The serious illness in infants is due to the conversion
of nitrate to nitrite by the body, which can interfere with the oxygen-carrying
capacity of the'child's blood. This  can be an acute condition in which health
deteriorates rapidly over a period of days. Symptoms include shortness of breath
and blueness of the skin.
  Long-term: Nitrates and nitrites have the potential to cause the following
effects from a lifetime exposure at levels above the MCL:  diuresis, increased
starchy deposits and hernbrrhaging of the spleen.

  Most nitrogenous materials in natural waters tend to be converted to nitrate, so
all sources of combined nitrogen,  particularly organic nitrogen and ammonia,
October 1995
               Consumer Version
Printed on Recycled Paper

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 RELEASES TO WATER AND LAND:
 1991 TO 1993

                 Water.

 TOTALS On pounds)59,014.37&~
            'Land

          53.134.805
 Top Fifteen States*
 GA
 CA ,
 AL
 LA
 MO
 MS
 KS
 VA
 NV
 FL
 AR
 MO
 IA
 OK
 UT
12.114,253
       0
 3.463.097
 8,778.237
 6.985,890
 6.952,387
 5,140.000
 5.091,764
       0
 1,056.560
 1,206,610
 1,802,219
 1.500.340
 1,436,348
       0
 Mijor Industries*
 Nitrogenous fertilized. 584.611
 Misc. Ind. Inorganics 4.113,312
                                   should be considered as potential nitrate
                                   sources. Primary sources of organic ni-
                                   trates include human sewage and livestock
                                   manure, especially from feedlots.
                                     The primary inorganic nitrates which may
                                   contaminate drinking water are potassium
                                   nitrate and ammonium nitrate both of which
                                   are widely used as fertilizers.
                                     According to the Toxics Release Inven-
                                   tory, releases to water and land  totalled
                                   over 1:12 million pounds from 1991 through
                                   1993. The largest releases of  inorganic
                                   nitrates occurred in Georgia and California.

                                     Since they are very soluble and do not
                                   bind to soils, nitrates have a high potential
                                   to migrate to ground water, Because they
                                   do,not evaporate, nitrates/nitrites are likely
                                   to remain in water until consumed by plants
                                   or other organisms.

                                     Theregulatidnfornitrates/nitrites became
                                   effective in 1992i Between 1993 and 1995,
                                   EPA required your water supplier to collect
                                   water samples at least once a year and
                                   analyze them to find out if nitrates/nitrites
                                   are present above 50 percent of their MCLs.
                                   If ft is present above thjs level/the system
must continue to monitor this contaminant every 3 months.
  If contaminant levels are found to be consistently above their MCLs, your water
supplier must take steps to reduce the amount of nitrates/nitrites so that they are
consistently below that level. The following treatment methods have been
approved by EPA for removing nitrates/nitrites; Ion exchange, Reverse Osmosis,
Electrodialysis.                                         ,.';• :•"•."•.'

 ' If the levels of nitrates/nitrites exceed their MCLs, the system must notify the
public via newspapers,  radio, TV and other means. Additional actions, such as
providing alternative drinking water supplies/may be required to prevent serious
risks to public health.      ,         .
 Misc. Metal ores
 Misc. Ind. organlcs
 Fertilizer mixing
 Explosives
 Paper mills
 Pulp milts
 Canned foods
       0
 5,091,764
  480,000
  850,921
 1,727,061
 1,321.500
       0
 Phosphate fertilizers 1,000.000,
12.028.585
21,840.999
 6,014,674
    2,250
  206,181
       0
  877,095
       0
 4,977,482
 1,835,736
 1.058.294
  138.819
  132.042
   14,199
 1.045.400
 8.607,376
29.676.919
 5,764.976
       0
 4.554.916
 1,297.590
       0
    3.350
 1.056.794
       0
 • State/Industry totals only include facilities with
 releases greater than 10,000 Ibs.
WHAT HAPPENS TO
NITRATES/NITRITES
WHEN THEY ARE RE-
LEASED TO THE ENVIRON-
MENT?
HOW WILL          •
NITRATES/NITRITES  '
BE DETECTED IN AND
REMOVED FROM
MY DRINKING WATER?
                                                                               HOWWILLIKNOWIF
                                                                               NITRATES/NITRITES ARE
                                                                               IN MY DRINKING WATER? ,
Learn more about your drinking water!             ;;.

  EPA strongly encourages people to learn more   Your state Department of Hearth/Environment is also a
abouttheirdrinking water, and to support local efforts valuable source pf information.
to protect and upgrade the supply of safe drinking   por ne|p jn locating these agencies or for information on
water. Your water bill or telephone book's govern- drinking water in general, call:
ment listings are a good starting point.             •  EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline: (800) 426-4791.
  Your local water supplier can give you a list of the   -For additional information on the uses and releases of
chemicals they test for in your water, as well as how chemicals in your state, contact the:
your water Is treated.                              Community Right-to-Know Hotline: (800) 535-0202.
 October 1995
                                         Consumer Version

-------
                    .United States
                    Environmental Protection
                    Agency  . *""",.  -
                                                  Office of Water
                                                  4601,
     EPA 811-F-95-002g-C
           October1995
                     National
^^/•v.;);;::-:.^^W$te^
 •'; V;,",••''•••        Selenium   -   ;      \;v^; -•>.;.; '
 This is a factsheet about a chemical that may be found in some public
 or private drinking water supplies. It may cause health problems if
 found in amounts greater than the health standard set by the United
 States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
                                                                      DRINKING WATER
                                                                      STANDARDS:   ' .

                                                                         MCLG:  0.05 PPM

                                                                       :  MCL: , 0.05 PPM
WHAT is
SELENIUM        "
AND HOW IS IT USED?
                       Selenium is a metal found in natural deposits as ores containing other elements.
                     The greatest use of  selenium compounds is in electronic and photocopier
                     components, but they are also widely used in glass, pigments, rubber, metal
                   .- alloys, textiles, petroleum, medical therapeutic agents, and photographic emul-
                     sions.        ;,.'••'-  •'-'• .'•-,'••• •''••-.-'.'.'.'-''-.'".'•'";'•  ....•• .-   '•.-;"  - .
WHY is SELENIUM
BEING REGULATED?
WHATARETHE
HEALTH EFFECTS?
                      In 1974; Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act.This lawrequires EPA
                     to determine safe levels of chemicals in drinking water which do or may cause
                     health problems: These non-enforceable levels, based solely on possible health
                     risks and exposure, are called Maximum Contaminant Level Goals.
                      The MCLG for selenium has been set at.0.05 parts per million (ppm) because
                     EPA believes this level of protection would not cause any of the potential health
                     problems described below.    '    ,
                      Based on this MCLG, EPA has .set an enforceable standard called a Maximum
                     Contaminant Level (MCL). MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as possible,
                     considering the ability of public water systems to detect and remove contaminants
                     using suitabletreatmenttechnologies.                     V        ;
                     , The MCL has been set :at 0.05 ppm because EPA believes, given present
                     technology and resources, this is the lowest level to which water systems can
                     reasonably be required to remove this contaminant should it occur in drinking
                     water.-;': V v'•''•-•.•,•. "". •-.  •'  ,:'/.•:;'..'./ •.'•.- •••.•'••. ;': '•',     ' -'"'    .'  ••'•.• ,'.'•  "'
                      These drinking water standards and the regulations for ensuring these  stan-
                     dards are met, are called National Primary Drinking Water Regulations. All public
                     water supplies must abide by these regulations.


                      Short-term: Selenium is an essential nutrient at low levels. However, EPA has
                     found selenium to potentially cause the following health effects when people are
                     exposed to it at levels above the MCL for relatively short periods of time;  hair and
                     fingernail changes; damage to  the .peripheral  nervous system; fatigue and
                     irritability.            '
                      Long-term: Selenium has the potential to cause the following effects from a
                     lifetime exposure at levels above the MCL: hair and fingernail loss;  damage to
                     kidney and liver tissue, and the nervous and circulatory systems.
October1995
                                   Consumer Version
Printed on Recycled Paper
                                              -v

-------
  RELEASES TO WATER AND LAND:
  1987 TO 1993

       .          Water

  TOTALS (In pounds)   13.556
                                    Production in 1985 was reported to be
                                  429;515 pounds. Selenium compounds are
                                  released to the air during the combustion of
                                  coal, and petroleum fuels, and during the
                                  smelting and refining of other metals.
                                  ajWom 1987 Ito 1993, according to the
                                  T8»"!cs Release fnventory selerHfim releases
                                  tolahd and watertotalied over 1 million Ibs.
                                  These releases were primarily from copper
                                 .smelting industries. The  largest releases
                                  occurred in Utah.  The largest direct re-
                                  leases to water occurred  in Indiana:


                                    The toxicity  of selenium  depends on
                                  whether it is in the biologically active oxi-
                                  dized form, which occurs in alkaline soils.
These conditions can cause plant uptake of the metal to be increased. It is known
that selenium accumulates in living tissues.       !           .
  Top Ffra States'
  UT        .
  AZ
  WI
  IN
  TX
1.578
   0
   0
5.300
 359
  Mtjor Industries*
  Copper smelting, refining 1,500
  Metal coatings .         0
  Petroleum refining     8,949
         Land

      ,1,010.686
,696.515
 260.632
 45,000
     0
  4,920
        962.067
         45,000
           977
 * Land totals only Include facilities with releases
 greater than 1000 Ibs.
                                                          How MUCH SELENIUM
                                                          IS PRODUCED AND
                                                          RELEASED TO THE
                                                          ENVIRONMENT?
                                                          WHATHAPPENSTO
                                                          SELENIUM
                                                          WHEN IT IS RELEASED TO
                                                          THE ENVIRONMENT?
  The regulation for selenium became effective in 1992. Between 1993 and 1995,
 EPA required your water supplierto collect water samples once and analyze them
 to find out if selenium is present above 0.05 ppm. If it is present above this level,
 the system must continue to. monitor this contaminant every 3 months.
  If contaminant levels are found to be consistently above the MCL, your water
 supplier musttake steps to reduce the amount of selenium so that it is consistently
 below that level. The following treatment methods have been approved by EPA
 for removing selenium: Activated Alumina, Coagulation/Filtration, Lime Soften-
 ing, Reverse Osmosis.                .     .                        •
                                                                           How WILL
                                                                           SELENIUM
                                                                           BE DETECTED IN AND
                                                                           REMOVED FROM
                                                                           MY DRINKING WATER?
   Ifthe levels of selenium exceed the MCL; the system must notify the public via
 newspapers',  radio, TV and other mearis. Additional actions,.such as providing
 alternative drinking water supplies, may be required to prevent serious risks to
 public health.  '                               ..                  ;
                                                                           HOW WILL I KNOW IF
                                                                           SELENIUM is IN MY
                                                                           'DRINKING WATER?
Learn more about your drinking water!

  EPA strongly encourages people td learn more   Your state Department of Health/Environment is also a
about their drinking water, and to support local efforts valuable source of information.                    .
to protect and upgrade the supply pf safe drinking   For he|p jn |ocating these agencies or for information on
water. Your water bill or telephone book's govern- drinkjng water fn general, call:
ment listings are a good starting point.            •  EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline: (800)426-4791.
  Your local water supplier can give you a list of the   • For addjtjbnal information on the uses and releases of
chemicals they test for in your water, as well as how chemicals in your state, contact the:
your water is treated.                             Community Right-to-Know Hotline: (800) 535-0202.
 October 1995
                                      Consumer Version
                                                                     Page 2

-------
                     United States
                     Environmental Protection
                    /Agency   ;
                                Office of Water
                                4601
     EPA811-F-95-Q02h-C
           October 1995
                     National
                     Water
                     Lead
This is a factsheet about a chemical that may be found in some public
or private drinking Water supplies. It may cause health problems if
found in .amounts greater than the health standard set by the United
States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
                                                    DRINKING WATER
                                                    STANDARDS:

                                                     MCLG:
                                                               ZERO
                                                     ACTION LEVEL: 15PPB
WHAT is LEAD AND
HOW is IT USED?
WHY is LEAD
BEING REGULATED?
WHATARETHE
HEALTH EFFECTS?
HOWMUCHLEAD
IS PRODUCED AND
RELEASED TO.THE.
ENVIRONMENT?
   Lead is a metal found in natural deposits as ores containing other elements. It
  is sometimes used in household plumbing materials or in water service lines used
  to bring water from the main to the home.

   In 1974, Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act. This law requires EPA
  to determine safe levels of chemicals in drinking water which do or may cause
  health problems. These non-enforceable levels, based solely on possible health
  risks and exposure, are called Maximum Contaminant Level Goals.
   The MCLG for lead has been set at zero because EPA believes this level of
  protection would not cause any of the potential health problems described below.
   Since lead contamination generally occurs from corrosion of household lead
  pipes, it cannotbe directly detected orremoved bythewatersystem. Instead, EPA
  is requiring water systems to control the corrosiveness of their water if the level
  of lead at home taps exceeds an Action Level.  .
   The Action Level for lead has been set at 15 parts per billion (ppb) because EPA
  believes, given presenttechnology and resources, this is the lowest level to which
  water systems can reasonably be required to control this contaminant should it
  occur in drinking[Waterattheircustomers home taps.       r
   These drinking water standards and the regulations for  ensuring these stan-
  dards are met, are called National Primary Drinking Water Regulations; All public
  water supplies must abide by these regulations.            .  ,  .
•.-',-"    - •    ••    - -     ... -  '""••'";.     • -•   "    "   ' .  =   " '      t!** -'•'•,   '
   Short- and Long-term effects: Lead can cause a variety of adverse health
  effects when people are exposed to it at levels above the MCL for relatively short
  periods of time/These effects may include interference with red  blood  cell
  chemistry, delays in normal physical and mental development in babies and
  young children, slight deficits in the attention span, hearing, and learning abilities
  of children, and slight increases in the blood pressure of some adults.
   Long-term effects: Lead has the potential to cause the following effects from
  a lifetime exposure at levels above the MCL:  stroke and kidney disease; cancer.

   Lead may occur in drinking water either by contamination of the source water
  used by the water system, orby corrosion of lead plumbing  or fixtures. Corrosion
  of plumbing is by farthe greatest cause for concern. All water is corrosive to metal
  plumbing materials to some degree. Grounding of household electrical systems
October 1995
                Consumer Version
Printed on Recycled Paper

-------
 RELEASES TO WATER AND LAND:
 1987 TO 1993

                Water     Land
 TOTALS (in pounds)  870,827 143.0S8.771
 Tbprtoe/v»Stofes*
 MO
 AZ
 MT
 UT
 TX ,
 OH
 IN
 TN
 IL            '
 W1
 MN
 NM      . .   . -
 4.408
 •  771
    0'
 4,600
 1,988
127.990
 62,894
 7,140
 26.601
 1.310
    0
    0
 Mijor Industries*
 Lead smelting, refining  31,423
 Copper smelting       5,371
 Steelworks, blast fum. 379,849
 Storage batteries  '       0
 China plumbing fixtures  1,310
 Iron foundries    ;   10,021
 Copper mining           0
    -1.  •
40.656.278
23,240,625
20,822,517
11.881.000
11,515.211
 5.196.522
 4.851,940
 2.095-/29
 1.930.C30
 1.350,550
 •1.313.SS5
 1.060J880
        68.996.819
        34.942,505
        18.149.636
         1,867,252
         1.350.930
         1,274,777
         1,240,000
                                  to plumbing  may also exacerbate .corrb-
                                  sion. Overtime, lead-containing plumbing
                                  materials will usually develop a scale that
                                  minimizes further corrosion of the pipe.
                                    Lead is rarely found in source water, but
                                  lead mining and smelting operations may
                                  be sources of contamination. Eighty eight
                                  percent of the lead mined in the US comes
                                  from seven mines in the Nlew.Lead Belt in
                                  southeastern Missouri. From 1987 to 1993,  .
                                  according to the Toxics Release Inventory
                                  lead compound releases to land and water
                                  totalled nearly 144 million Ibs. These re-
                                  leases were primarily from lead and copper
                                  smelting industries. The largest releases
                                  occurred in  Missouri,  Arizona and  Mon-
                                  tana. The largest direct releases to water
                                  occurred in Ohio.

                                    When released to land, lead binds to soils
                                  and does not migrate to ground water. In
                                  water, it binds to sediments. It does not
                                  accumulate in fish, but does in some shell-
                                  fish, such as mussels. '

  The regulation for lead became effective in 1992. Between 1993 and 1995, EPA
required your water supplier to collect water samples from household taps twice
a year and analyze them to find ;out if lead is present above 15 ppb in more than
10 percent of all homes tested. If it is present above this level, the system must
continue to monitor this contaminant twice a year.
  If contaminant levels are found to be consistently above the Action level, your
water supplier  must take steps to reduce the  amount of lead so that it is
consistently  below that level.; The following tre^
approved by EPA for controlling lead: Corrosion .control.

  If the levels of lead exceed the Action Level, the system must notify the public
via newspapers, radio, TV and other means. Customers will be informed of what
they can do at home to lower their exposure to lead. Additional actions, such as
providing alternative drinking water supplies, may be required to prevent serious
risks to public health.,                         ,.   ,   ;   :
 * Water/Land totals only Include facilities with
 releases greater than 100,000 Ibs.'
                                                     WHATHAPPENSTO
                                                     LEAD
                                                     WHEN IT IS RELEASED TO
                                                     THE ENVIRONMENT?
                                                                             HOW WILL
                                                                             LEAD
                                                                             BE DETECTED IN AND
                                                                             REMOVED FROM
                                                                             MY DRINKING WATER?
                                                                             HOW WILL I KNOW IF
                                                                             LEAD is IN MY DRINKING
                                                                             WATER?
Learn more about your drinking water!

  EPA strongly encourages people to learn more    Your state Department of Health/Environment is also a
abouttheirdrinking water, and to support local efforts  valuable source of information,
to protect and upgrade the supply of safe drinking  '•  For ne|p jn locating these agencies or for information on
water. Your water bill or telephone book's govern-  drinidrig water in general, call:
ment listings are a good starting point              EPA's Safe Drinking Water HotSine: (800) 426-4791.
  Your local water supplier can give you a list of the  •  For additional information on the uses and releases of
chemicals they test for in your water, as well as how  cnemjcals.in yoursfate, contact the:
your water is treated.                             Community Right-to-Know Hotline: (800) 535-0202.
 October 1995
                                       Consumer Version
                                                                        Page 2

-------
                      United States    ;  :
                      Environmental Protection
                     • Agency.  ,  . •  .
                               Off ice of Water
                               4601
EPA811TF-95-002 i-C
   'October 1335
                      National Primary Drinking
                      K A m^^.Mm*^. _^ • ^^% .A. ^.__ _• ^^.^.= —!^__ ^_ • •      ".•'•     ^^
                      Copper
 This is a factsheet about a chemical that may be found in some public
 or private drinking water supplies.  It may cause health problems if
 found in amounts greater than the health standard set by the United
 States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
                                                   DRINKING WATER
                                                   STANDARDS:

                                                    MCLG:   ,  1.3 PPM

                                                   . ACTION LEVEL: 1.3 PPM
 WHAT is
 COPPER
 AND HOW IS IT USED?
\WHYISCOPPER
 BEING REGULATED?
 WHATARETHE
 HEALTH EFFECTS?
   Copper is a metal found in natural deposits as ores containing other elements.
 It is widely used in household plumbing materials. :


•-••;; In 1974, Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act. This law requires EPA
 to determine safe levels of chemicals in drinking water which do or may cause
 health problems. These non-enforceable levels, based solely on possible health
 risks and exposure, are called Maximum Contaminant Level Goals.
   The MCLG for copper has been set at 1.3 parts per million (ppm) because EPA
 believes this level of protection would not cause any of the potential health
 problems described below.   ;:                       •
   Since copper contamination generally  occurs from corrosion of household
 copper pipes, it cannot be directly detected or removed by the water system.
 Instead, EPA is requiring water systems to control the cprrosiveness of their water
 if the level .of copper at home taps exceeds an Action Level.
   The Action Level for copper has also  been set at 1.3 ppm because  EPA
 believes, given present technology and resources, this is the lowest level to which
 water systems can redspnab.ly be: required to, control this contaminant should it
 occur in drinking water at their customer's home taps.
   These drinking water  standards and the regulations for ensuring these stan-
 dards are met, are called National Primary Drinking Water Regulations
 watersupplies must abide by these regulations.


•   Short- and Long-term effects: Copper is an essential nutrient, required by
 the body in very small amounts. However, EPA has found copper to potentially
 cause the following health effects when people are exposed to it at levels above
 the Action Level for relatively short periods of time: stomach and intestinal
 distress, liver and  kidney damage, and anemia. Persons with Wilson's disease
 may be more sensitive than others to the effects of copper contamination.  .
 How MUCH COPPER
• IS PRODUCED AND
 RELEASED TO THE
 ENVIRONMENT?
   Copperrnay occur in drinking water either by contamination of the source water
 used by the water system, or by corrosion of copper plumbing: Corrosion of
 plumbing is by far the greatest cause for concern. Copper is rarely found in source
 water, but copper mining and smelting operations and municipal incineration may
 October 1995
                Consumer Version
                                                                   Printed on Recycled Paper

-------
            WATER AND LAND:,
  1987,To1993
                  Water

  TOTALS (In pounds) 1,538.148
           Lsnd
  Top Ten States'
  UT
  NM
  AZ
  Mi
  NY
  MT
  TN
  MO
  AL
  MD
 55.350
    "0
  2.636
 19.763
 66.057
    0
301.417
   250
 41,213
 78.601
                                   be sources of contamination.
                                                     '       *•'       '
                                     From 1987 to 1993, according to the
                                   ToxicsReleaseinventorycoppercompound ,
                                   releases to land and water totalled nearly
                                   450 million Ibs., of which nearly all was to
                                   land. These releases, were primarily from
                                   copper smelting industries. The largest re-
                                   leases occurred in Utah. The largest direct
                                   releases to water occurred in Tennessee.


                                     All water is corrosive toward copper to
                                   some degree, even water termed noncor-
                                   rosive or water .treated to make it less
                                   corrosive.  Corrosivity toward  copper is
                                   greatest in very acidic water. Many of the
                                   other factors that affect the corrosivity of
                                   water toward lead can also be expected to
                                   affect the corrosion of copper.         .


                                     The regulation for copper became effec-
                                   tive in 1992. Between 1993 and 1995, EPA
                                   required your water supplier to collect wa-
                                   ter  samples from household taps twice a
year and analyze them to find out if copper is present above 1,3 ppm in more than
10 percent of all homes tested. If it is present above this level, the system must
continue to monitor this contaminant twice a year.
  If contaminant levels are found to be consistently above the Action level, your
water supplier must take steps to reduce the amount of copper so that it is
consistently  below that  level. The following treatment methods have been
approved by EPA for controlling copper. Corrosion control.
  WOT Industries*
  Primary copper smelting 7,591
  Other nonferrous smelt  4,414
  Plastic materials     44,422
  Blast furnaces, steel   156.982
  Poultry slaughtering       0
  Copper rolling, drawing 17,253
  tad. organic chems    28,936
  Prepared feeds, misc.   1,038
  Ind. Inorganic chems   220,503
       442,082,245
153.501,500
130,682,387
104.61S.532
 11,172,897
 10,017,766
  8,696,153
  1,208,804
  1,483.000
   513,536
   270,945
       201,214.264
        11,317.048
        • 9.637,850
         3.225,752
         1.249,750
          941,075
          827.356
          760.094
          527,458
  •Water/Land totals only Include facilities with
  releases greater than a certain amount - usually
  1000 to 10,000 tos.    .
   If the levels of copper exceed the Action Level, the system must notify the public
 via newspapers, radio, TV and other means. Customers will be informed of what
 they can do at home to lower their exposure to copper. Additional actions, such
 as providing alternative drinking water supplies, may be  required'to prevent
 serious risks to'public health.                     ,
WHATUAPPENSTO
COPPER
WHEN IT IS RELEASED TO
THE ENVIRONMENT?
                                                             HOWWILL
                                                             COPPER
                                                             BE DETECTED IN AND
                                                             REMOVED FROM
                                                             MY DRINKING WATER?
                                                             HOWWILL I KNOW IF
                                                             COPPER is IN MY DRINK-
                                                             ING WATER?
 Learn more about your drinking water!

   EPA strongly encourages people to team more   Your state Department of Health/Environment is also a
 abouttheirdrinking water, and to support local efforts valuable sources of information.                 •'.;•'
 to protect and upgrade the supply of safe drinking   For nejp jn locating these agencies or for information on
 water. Your water bill or telephone book's govern- drinking water in general .call:
 ment listings are a good starting point.             •  EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline: (800) 426-4791..
   Your local water supplier can give you a list of the  • For additional information on the uses and releases of
1 chemicals they test for in your water, aswell as how chemicals in your state, contact the:
 your water is treated.                             Community Right-to-Know Hotline: (800) 535-0202.
 October 1995
                       Consumer Version
                                                                                          Page 2

-------
                      United States
                      Environmental Protection
                      Agency ';.'..'
                              Office of Water
                              4601   •'•'•
     EPA811-F-95-002 j-C
       .    October 1995
                      National
                      Water
                      Antimony
 This is a factsheet about a chemical that may be found in some public
 or private drinking water supplies. It may cause health problems if
 found in amounts greater than the health standard set by the United
 States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
                                                   DRINKING WATER
                                                   STANDARDS:

                                                   .  MCLG:.  6 PPB

                                                     MCL:   6 PPB
 WHAT is
 ANTIMONY
 AND HOW IS IT USED?
 WHYIS ANTIMONY
 BEING REGULATED?
 WHAT ARE THE
 HEALTH EFFECTS?
' How MUCH ANTIMONY
 IS PRODUCED AND,
 RELEASED TO THE
 ENVIRONMENT?
  Antimony is a metal found in natural deposits as ores containing other elements.
The most widely used antimony compound is antimony trioxide, used as a flame
retardant. It is also found in batteries, pigments, and ceramics/glass.

  In 1974, Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act, This law requires EPA
to determine safe levels of chemicals in drinking water which do or may cause
health problems. These non-enforceable levels, based solely on possible health
risks and exposure, are called Maximum Contaminant Level Goals.
 " The MCLG for antimony has been set at 6 parts per billiori (ppb) because EPA
believes this level of protection would not cause any of the potential health
problems described below.        ;       /  ,                         ,
  Based on this MCLG, EPA has set an enforceable standard called a Maximum
Contaminant Level (MCL). MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as possible,
considering the ability of public water systems to detect and remove contaminants
using suitable treatment technologies.      ^
  The MCL has also been set at 6 ppb because EPA believes, given present
technologyand resources, this is the lowest level to which water systems can
reasonably be required to remove 4his contaminant should it occur in drinkihg
water.  ,;_.•'.  •'.;'., "v^ •'-.'-'-.'•':' '';:/.  ' .'.:-•'.A ',•••'.' -.'•  •'''-•'•'.'.,.,-  ' '  •..   '
  These drinking water standards and the regulations for ensuring these stan-
dards are met, are called National Primary Drinking Water Regulations. All public
water supplies must abide by these regulations.

  Short-term: EPA. has.found antimony to potentially cause the following health
effects when people are exposed to it at levels above the MCL for relatively short
periods of time: nausea,  vomiting and diarrhea.
  Long-term: Antimony has the potential to cause the^ following effects from a
lifetime exposure at levels above.'the MCL:AND/QR- Antimony is a (known/
potential drinkirig water)  human carcinogen. OR- No reliable data are available
concerning health effects from long-term exposure to antimony in drinking water.

  In 1984,64.5 million Ibs. antimony ore was mined and refined. Production of the
most commonly .used  antimony compound, the trioxide, increased during the
1980s to about 31 million Ibs, reported in 1985. Industrial dust, auto exhaust and
home heating oil are the main sources in urban air.
 October 1995
               Consumer Version
Printed on Recycled Paper
                                               •-N

-------
  RELEASES™ WATER AND LAND:
  1987 TO 1993

                 Water   .
          Land
 TOTALS (In pounds)  330.064   12.003.373
  Top Ten Staffs *
  AZ
  MT
  TX   .
  IA
  Wl
  MO
  WA
  ID
  TN
  AL
  505
   '0
24.817
55.414
 1.445
  784
63,220
 2.600
  687
27.536
                                     From 1987 to  1.993, according to .the
                                   Toxics Release Inventory antimony  and
                                   antimony compound releases to land and
                                   water totalled over 12 million IDS. These
                                   releases were prims rlly from copper and
                                   lead smelting and Wining industries. The
                                   largest releases occurred in Arizona and
                                   Montana. The greatest releases to water
                                   occurred in Washington and Louisiana.
                                     ' *               >
                                     Little is known about antimony's fate once
                                   released to soil. Some studies indicate that
                                   antimony is highly  mobile in soils, while
                                   others conclude that it strongly adsorbs to
                                   soil. In water, it usually adheres to sedi-
                                   ments. Most antimony compounds show
                                   little or no tendency to accumulate in aquatic
                                   .life.

                                     The regulation for antimony became ef-
                                   fective in 1994. Between 1993 and 1995,
                                   EPA required your water supplier to collect
                                   water samples every 3 months for one year
                                   and analyze them to find out if antimony is
                                   present above 6 ppb. if it is present above
          •                         this~ level, the system must continue to
monitor this contaminant..                                      .
  If contaminant levels are found to be consistently above the MCL, your water
supplier musttake steps to reduce the amount of antimony so that it is consistently
below that level. The following treatment methods have been approved by EPA
for removing .antimony:  Ion Exchange, Lime  Softening,  Reverse Osmosis,
Electrodialysis.

  Jf the levels of antimony exceed the MCL; the system mustnotifylhe public via
newspapers, radio, Wand other means. Additional actions, such as providing
alternative drinking water supplies,  may be required to prevent serious risks to
public health.    .
  Mijor Industries*
  Copper smelting, refining  505
  Other nonferrous smelt 17,015
  Sec. nonferrous smelt   1,459
  MIsc IndusL Organtes  , 18.424
  Porcelain plumb, fixtures 1,445
  Petroleum refining    111,527
  MIsc Inorgante chems.   4,962
  Plastics, resins.         20
  Storage batteries        0
  Synthetic fibers       26.803
7.074.128
2,338.697
• 840,392
 344.762
* 392,000
 188.266
  99,915
 140.250
 ,108,325
 ,69.503
        7,074.128
        2.383.947
         803,398
         581.465
         392.000
         202,251
         140,250
          60.372
       • ,  45.952
          12.535
  * Water/Land totals only include facilities with
  releases greater than a certain amount • usually
  1000 to 10,000 tos.
WHATHAPPENSTO
ANTIMONY
WHEN IT IS RELEASED TO
THE ENVIRONMENT?
                                                    HOWWILL
                                                    ANTIMONY
                                                    BE DETECTED IN AND
                                                    REMOVED FROM
                                                    MY DRINKING WATER?
                                                                              HOWWIU.IKNOWIF
                                                                              ANTIMONY is IN MY
                                                                              DRINKING WATER?
Learn more about your drinking water!

  EPA strongly encourages people fo leam more
about their drinking water, and to support local efforts
to protect and upgrade the supply of safe drinking
water. Your water bill or telephone book's govern-
ment listings are a good starting point.
  Your local water supplier can give you a list of the
chemicals they test for in your water, as well as how
your water is treated.
                              Your state Department of Health/Environment is also a
                            valuable source of information.
                              For help in locating these agencies or for information on
                            drinking water in general, call:
                               EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline: (800) 426-4791.
                              'For.additional information on the uses and releases of
                            chemicals in your state, contact the:
                               Community Right-to-Know Hotline: (800) 535-0202.
 October 1995
                                        Consumer Version

-------
                     United States
                     Environmental Protection
                     Agency  ' :    '.•'.';'
                               Office of Water
                               4601
     EPA 811-F-95-002 k-C
           October 7995
                     National
                    Water
This is a factsheet about a chemical that may be found in some public
or private drinking water supplies. It may cause health problems if
found in amounts greater than the health standard set by the United
States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
                                                   DRINKING WATER .
                                                   STANDARDS:

                                                     . MCLG:  4 PPB

                                                     MCL:  4 PPB
WHAT is
BERYLLIUM
AND HOW1 IS IT USED?
   Beryllium is a metal found in natural deposits as ores containing other elements,
 and in some precious stones such as emeralds and aquamarine. The greatest use
 of beryllium is in making metal alloys for nuclear reactors and the aerospace
 industry.    '.''-   -v-.--   --^''..  •'  • ;  ^ '--'•    -   \  '•  -  •'•  .-;
WHY is BERYLLIUM
BEING REGULATED?
WHAT ARE THE
HEALTH EFFECTS?
   In 1974, Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act. This law requires EPA
 to determine safe levels of chemicals in drinking water which do or may cause
 health problems. These non-enforceable levels, based solely on possible, health
 risks and exposure, are called Maximum Contaminant Level Goals.
  The MCLG for beryllium has been set at 4 parts per billion (ppb) because EPA
 believes this level of protection would not  cause any of the potential health
 problems described below.       :           '       :        ,
   Based on this MCLG, EPA has set an enforceable standard called a Maximum
 Contarninant Level (MCL). MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as possible,
 considering the ability of public water systems to detect and remove contaminants
 using suitable treatment technologies.
  "The MCL has ,ajsb beefi set at 4 ppb because EPA believes, given present
 technology and resources, this .is the lowest level .to which water systems can
 reasonably be required to remove this contaminant should it occur in drinking
'•water.- -,;.  ';\ ^ '•  ,  -^ '•••'.  ':.•:".' , ''•'.'.•••'.    ' • -. .:.-•••;•,-   -'••' :..;- -.'.  ;",   '  ,..-
  These drinking water standards and the regulations for ensuring these stan-
 dards are met, are called National Primary Drinking Water Regulations. AH public
 water supplies must abide by these regulations.


   Short-term:  EPA has found barium tp potentially cause the following health
 effects when people are exposed to it at levels above the MCL for relatively short
 periods of time: inflammation of the  lungs when inhaled; less toxic in drinking
         '     '          '                  '
                     'Long-term: Beryllium has the potential to! cause the following effects from a
                     lifetime exposure at levels abovethe. MCL: damage'to bones and lungs; cancer,
October 1995
                Consumer Version
Printed on Recycled Paper

-------
RELEASES TO WATER AND LAND: ..
1987 TO 1993 .

Water
TOTALS (hi pounds) 1
Top Hv» States
PA
OH
Mi
TX
MN
Major Industries
Copper rolling, drawing
Nonferrous metal smelting
Nonfcrrous rolling, drawing
Aluminum foundries
Blast furr.rsjs, steelworks
PetroJecrr.i rafinlng
,314'

653
490 '
5
• o
142
"405
481
4
5
250
142

Latid
341.721

174,250
166,292
1,000
174
0
180,502
151.790
8.000
1,000
250
174
                                   Production of beryllium metal  was
                                 490,000 IDS. in 1986. It is released princi-
                                 pally in the smoke stacks arid ash wastes of
                                 power plants which bum coal. It is also
                                 found in discharges from other industrial
                                 and municipal operations. Rocket exhaust,
                                 products also consist of various beryllium
                                 compounds.          '
                                   From 1987 to 1993, according to the
                                 Toxics Release Inventory beryllium releases
                                 to land and water totalled over 340,000 IbS:
                                 These releases were primarily from copper
                                 rolling and drawing industries which use it
                                 as  a hardener in alloys. The largest  re-
                                 leases occurred ft Pennsylvania and Ohio.
  Very little is known aboutwhat happens to beryllium compounds when released
to the environment. It appears unlikely to leach to ground water when released to
land. Erosion or runoff of beryllium compounds into surface waters is not likely to
be in a soluble form. •        .   .                             ;

  The regulation for beryllium became effective in 1994. Between 1993 and 1995,
EPA required your water supplierto collect watersamples once aind analyze them
to find out if beryllium is present above 4 ppb. If it is present above this level, the
system must continue to monitor this contaminant every .3 months.
  If contaminant levels are found to be consistently above the IMCL, your water
supplier musttake steps to reduce the amount of berylliumso that it is consistently
below that level. The following treatment methods have been approved by EPA
for removing beryllium: Activated Alumina, Coagulation/filtration, Ion Exchange,
Lime Softening, Reverse Osmosis.            .              .       ......
                              How MUCH BERYLLIUM
                              IS PRODUCED AND
                              RELEASED TO THE
                              ENVIRONMENT? , :   .
                              WHATHAPPENSTO
                              BERYLLIUM
                              WHEN IT IS RELEASED TO
                              THE ENVIRONMENT?
                              HOW WILL
                              BERYLLIUM
                              BE DETECTED IN AND
                              REMOVED FROM
                              MY DRINKING WATER?
   if the levels of beryllium exceed the MCL, the system must notify the public via
 newspapers, radio, TV and other means. Additional actions, such as providing
 alternative drinking water supplies, may be required to prevent serious risks to
 public health.               ,   .       .  :        . ./••;   ;    .
                              HOW WILL I KNOW IF
                              BERYLLIUM is IN MY
                              DRINKING WATER?
 Learn more about your drinking water!
'  EPA strongly encourages, people to learn more
about their drinking water, and to support local efforts
to protect and upgrade the supply of safe drinking
water. Your water bill or telephone book's govern-
ment listings are a good starting point.
  Your local water supplier can give you a list of the
chemicals they test for in your water, as well as how
your water is treated.                     .
  Your state Department of Health/Environment is also a
valuable source of information.
  For help in locating these agencies or for information on
.drinking water in general, call:
•  EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline: (800) 426-4791.
 'For additional information on the uses and releases of
chemicals in your state, contact the:
   Community Right-to-Know Hotline: (800) 535-0202.

-------
                    United States  .
                    Environmental Protection
                   - Agency
                             Office of Water
                             4601
     EPA811-F-95-002 I-C
          October
                     National Primary Drinking
                    Water Regulations
                     Cyanide
 This is a factsheet.about a chemical that may be found in some public
 or private drinking water supplies. It may cause health problems if
 found in amounts greater than the health standard set by the United
 States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
                                                DRINKING WATER
                                                STANDARDS:

                                                  MCLG:  0.2 PPM

                                                  MCL:   0.2 PPM
 WHAT is
 CYANIDE
. AND HOW IS IT USED?
  Cyanide is a carbon-nitrogen chemical -unit which combines with many organic
and inorganic compounds. The most commonly used form, Hydrogen cyanide, is
mainly used to make the compounds needed to make nylon and other synthetic
fibers and resins. Other cyanides are used as herbicides.
 WHY is CYANIDE
 BEING REGULATED?
  In 1974, Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act. This law requires EPA
to determine safe levels of chemicals in drinking water which do or may cause
health problems. These non-enforceable levels, based solely on possible health
risks and exposure, are called Maximum Contaminant Level Goals.
  The MCLG for cyanide has been set at 0.2 parts per million (ppm) because EPA
believes this level of protection would not cause any of the potential health
problems described below.
  Based on this MCLG, EPA has set an enforceable standard called a Maximum
Contaminant Level (MCL). MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as possible^
considering the ability of public water systems to detect and remove contaminants
using suitable treatment technologies.
  The MCL has been set at 0,2 ppm because EPA believes, given  present
technology and resources, this is the lowest level to which water systems can
reasonably be required to remove this contaminant should it occur in drinking
water:   :          -''.•"-.,-;L .•-••"  ;,: '/ '• ,:  . -'• •   '•. '  •.'.'.' ,/  .'•• •'.''.•  .
  These drinking water standards and the regulations for ensuring these stan-
dards are met, are called National Primary Drinking Water Regulations. All public
water supplies must abide by these regulations.
 WHATARETHE
 HEALTH EFFECTS?
  Short-term: EPA has found cyanide to potentially cause the following health
effects when people are exposed to it at levels above the MCL for relatively short
periods of time: rapid breathing, tremors and other neurological effects.
  Long-term: Cyanide has the potential to cause the following effects from a
lifetime exposure at levels above the  MCL: weight loss, thyroid effects, nerve
damage,';'  ,•'•;•; .'.-''*.' ••"•'   ' •   '•    ••_•-  •",.'..     ','.;•-   "':  •  • '
 October 1995
              Consumer Version
Printed on Recycled Paper

-------
RELEASES TO WATER AND LAND:
1987 TO 1993

TOTALS (hi pounds)
Top Ten States
CA
PA
IN
OH
TX
MD
Mtjor Industries
Blast-furnaces '+ steel
Metal heat treating
I nd organic chems
Plating* polishing

Water
939.611

0
208.239
187.377
160.203
54,379
89.438
747,970
0
49.098
29.486

Land
641,082

430,886
4.909
20.242
850
83.394
23.503
53.404
430.886
82,912
29,636
                                   Production of the  most common cya-
                                 nides was roughly 5 billion pounds a year in
                                 the fate 1980s and early 1990s. The major
                                 cyanide releases to water are discharges
                                 from metal finishing  industries, iron and
                                 steel mills, and organic chemical indus-
                                 tries! Releases to soil appear to be prima-
                                 rily from disposal  of cyanide  wastes in
                                 landfills and the use of cyanide-containing
                                 road salts. Chlorinatioh treatment of some
                                 wastewaters  can produce cyanides as a
                                 by-product.
                                   From 1J987 to 1993, according to the
                                 Toxics  Release Inventor/ cyanide com-
                                 pound releases to land and water totalled
                                 about 1.5 mijlion Ibs. These releases were
                                 primarily from steel mills and metal heat
How MUCH CYANIDE
IS PRODUCED AND
RELEASED TO THE
ENVIRONMENT?
treating industries. The largest releases occurred in California and Pennsylvania.


  Cyanides are generally not persistent when released to water or soil, and are
not likely to accumulate in aquatic life. They rapidly evaporate and are broken
down by microbes. They do not bind to'soils and may leach to ground water.


  The regulation for cyanide became effective in 1992, Between 1993 and 1995,
"EPA required your water supplierto collect water samples once and analyze them
to find out if cyanide is present above 0.2 ppm. If it is present above this level, the
system must continue .to monitor this contaminant every 3 months.
  If contaminant levels are found to be consistently above the MCL, your water
supplier must take steps to reduce the amount of cyanide so thsit it is consistently
below that level. The following treatment methods have been approved by EPA             ,
for removing cyanide: Ion Exchange, Reverse "Osmosis, Chlorine.

                                              '         ••.' •  f '   '      '     .  '      ''•'•."•
  If the levels of cyanide exceed the MCL, the system must notify the public via   How WILL I KNOW IF
newspapers, radio, TV and other means. Additional actions, such as providing   CYANIDE is IN MY
alternative drinking water supplies, may be required to prevent serious risks to   DRINKING WATER?
public health.
WHATHAPPENSTO
CYANIDE
WHEN IT IS RELEASED TO
THE ENVIRONMENT?
 HOW WILL
 CYANIDE
 BE DETECTED IN AND
 REMOVED FROM
 MY DRINKING WATER?
Learn more about your drinking water!

  EPA strongly encourages people to learn more   Your state Department of Health/Environment is,also a
abouttheir drinking water, and to support local efforts valuable source of information.
to protect and upgrade the supply of safe drinking   j=0r help in locating these agencies or for information on
water. Your water bill or telephone book's govern- Drinking water in general, call:
ment listings are a good starting point.           •   EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline: (800)426-4791.
  Your local water supplier can give you a list of the • por additional information on the uses and releases of
chemicals they test for in your water, as well as how chemica|sjn your state, contact the:
your water is treated.                             Community Right-to-Know Hotline: (800) 535-0202.
 October 1995
                                      Consumer Version

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                    'United States
                    Environmental Protection
                    ^.'Agency
                                Office of Water
                                4601    ;
     EPA 811-^-95-00201-0
           October 1335
                    National
                    Water
                     Nickel
                        u I at ions
This is a factsheet about a chemical that may be found in some public
or private drinking water supplies. It may cause health problems if
found in amounts greater than the health standard set by the United
States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
WHAT is NICKEL AND
HOW is IT USED?
                                                    DRINKING WATER
                                                    STANDARDS:
                                                      MCLG:

                                                      MCL:
            Ol 1 PPM


            0-1 PPM
    Nickel is a metal found in natural deposits as ores containing other elements.
  The greatest use of nickel is in making stainless steel and other alloys;
WHY is NICKEL
BEING REGULATED?
WHATARETHE
HEALTH EFFECTS?
    In 1974, Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act. This law requires EPA
  to determine safe levels of chemicals in drinking water which do or may cause
  health problems. These non-enforceable levels, based solely on possible health
  risks and exposure, are called Maximum Contaminant Level Goals.
    The MCLG for nickel has been set at 0.1 parts per million (ppm) because EPA
.  believes this level of protection would not cause any of the potential health
  problems described below. ,                            ;
  ••.. Based on this MCLG, EPA has set an enforceable standard called a Maximum
  Contaminant Level (MCL). MCLs are set  as close to the MGLGs as possible,
  considering the ability of public water systems to detect and remove contaminants
 fusing suitable treatment technologies.
    The MCL has been set at 0.1 ppm because EPA believes, given  present
-technology and resources, this is the lowest level to which water systems can
  reasonably be requiredjo remove this contaminant should it occur in drinking
  water          /-UV,-;,' .;:, '  ,: •, '.•/.."  • -:•.:-,• ',,-'. .•  ; "-. ,   . -,'.  -.••'. • /
    These drinking water standards and the regulations for ensuring these stan-
  dards are met, are called National Primary Drinking Water Regulations. All public
. water supplies must abide by these regulations.


    Short-term: Nickel is not known to cause any health problems when people
  are exposed to it at levels above the MCL for relatively short periods of time.
    Long-term:  Nickel  has the potential to cause the following effects from a
  lifetime exposure at levels above the MCL: decreased body weight; heart and liver
  damage; skin irritation.
How MUCH NICKEL
IS PRODUCED AND
RELEASED TO THE
ENVIRONMENT?
   Production of nickel was 84.6 million Ibs. in 1986. Nickel compounds can be
 .jnade as  a by-product during various  industrial  processes that use nickel
  catalysts, such as coal gasification, petroleum refining, and hydrogenation of fats
  and oils. They have also been identified in residual fuel oil and in atmospheric
October 7995
                Consumer Version
Printed on Recycled Paper

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 RELEASES TO WATER AND LAND:
 1987 TO 1993
        -               l
                 Water  .
          Land
 TOTALS (in pounds)  709,236  26.p79.419
 Top Ten States *
 OR
 AR
 ID
 IN
 PA
 AZ
 TX
 MD
 CA
 GA
  459
 4.250
 1,000
 28.050
 19,680
  767
    0
 77,200
 6.687
 61,100
                                   emissions from nickel refineries.
                                     From 1987 to 1993, according  to the
                                   Toxics Release Inventory nickel releases
                                   to land and water totalled nearly 27 million
                                   Ibs. These releases were primarily from
                                   nickel smelting/refining and steelworks in-
                                   dustries. The largest releases.occurred in
                                   Oregon arid  Arkansas. The largest direct
                                   releases to water occurred in Maryland and
                                   Georgia.     .            i

                                     Nickel is one of the most mobile of the
                                   heavy metals when released to water, par-
                                   ticularly in polluted waters, where organic
                                   material will  keep nickel soluble. Though
                                   nickel does  accumulate in aquatic life,  it
                                   does hot become magnified along food
                                   chains. Nickel released to soil may leach
                                   into ground water or be washed into sur-
                                   face water.


                                     The regulation for nickel became effec-
                                   tive in 1994. Between 1993 and 1995, EPA
required your water supplier to collect water samples once and analyze them to
find out if nickel is present above .0.1 ppm. If it is present above this level, the
system must continue to monitor this contaminant every 3 months.
  If contaminant levels are found to be consistently above the MCL, your water
supplier must take steps to reduce the amount of nickel so that it is consistently
below that level. The following treatment methods have been.approved  by EPA
for removing nickel: Ion Exchange, Lime Softening, Reverse Osmosis.
 Mtjor Industries*
 Primaiy nonferroos meta 16,874
 Blast furnaces* steel • 304,891
 Ind Inorganic cherhs
 Ind organic chems
 Petroleum refining
 Primary copper
, Iron+tteel foundries
 Gray Iron foundries
 Inorganic pigments
 22,689
109<141
186,499
  1.272
  ,500
  3,326
 62,394
 6,256.532
 5.622,900
 2,200,250
. 2,098,196
 2,052.736
  984,817
  777.400
  666.637
  285,731
  193,111
12,053.688
 6,784.227
 2,519.468
 1.105.934
  949.411
  996,817
  409.000
  334.524
  193.111
 * Water/Land totals only Include facilities with
 releases greater than a certain amount - usually
 1000 to 10.000 tos.
  If the levels of nickel exceed the MCL, the system must notify the public via
newspapers, radio, TV and other means. Additional actions, such as providing
alternative drinking water supplies, may be required to prevent serious risks to
public health.          .                 ..•'-•             ;
WHAT HAPPENS TO
NICKEL    '
WHEN IT is RELEASED TO
THE ENVIRONMENT?
                                                             HOWWILL
                                                             NICKEL
                                                             BE DETECTED IN AND
                                                             REMOVED FROM
                                                             MY DRINKING WATER?
                                                             HOWWILL IKNOWIF
                                                             NICKEL is IN MY DRINK-
                                                             ING WATER?
Learn more about your drinking water!

  EPA strongly encourages people to leam more    Your state Department of Health/Environment is also a
abouttheir drinking water, and to support local efforts valuable sources of information.
to protect and upgrade the supply of safe drinking    ppr ne|p jn |ocating these agencies or for information on
water. Your water bill or telephone book's govern- drinking water in general, call:
ment listings are a good starting point.            •   EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline: (800) 426-4791.
  Your local water supplier can give you a list of the   • For additional information on the uses and .releases of
chemicals they test for in your water, as well  as how chemicals in your state, contact the:. ,,
your water is treated.          .     -              Community Right-to-Know Hotline: (800) 535-0202.
 October1995
                                        Consumer Version

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                    United, States ;
                   -•. Environmental Protection
                   ^Agency. '•.:!'-' ':;'; •"'••
                                                 Office of Water
                                                 4601
     EPA 811-F-95-QO2n-C
     ,. ..   October 1995
                    National Primary Drinking
                    Water Regulations
                    • i" '  • '. , , ' - *': ' '".,"''''. ' ' .*, -'"?•- ^B^^ -   .    '•'..,'  ,.
;-  .';;;\::;;'•• v.'S Tellium     •(-^  ,-•; :   :  '••::(,•••;;
This is a factsheet about a chemical that may befound in some public
or private drinking water supplies: It may cause health problems if
found in amounts greater than the health standard set by the United
States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
                                                                     DRINKING WATER
                                                                     STANDARDS:

                                                                       MCLG:  0.5 PPB

                                                                       Met:  2 PPB
WHAT is THALLIUM
AND HOW is IT
USED?

WHY is THALLIUM
BEING REGULATED?
                      Thallium is a metal found in natural deposits as ores containing other elements.
                   The greatest use of thallium is in specialized electronic research equipment.


                      In 1974, Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act. This law requires EPA
                    to determine safe levels of chemicals In drinking water which do or may cause
                    health problems. These non-enforceable levels, based solely on possible health
                    risks and exposure, are called Maximum Contaminant Level Goals.
                      The MCLG for thallium has been .set at 0.5 parts per billion (ppb) because EPA
                    believes this level of protection would not cause any of the potential health
                    problems described below.        -
                      Based on this MCLG, EPA has set an enforceable standard called a Maximum
                    Contaminant Level (MGL). MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as possible,
                    considering the ability of public water systems to detect and remove contaminants
                    using suitable treatment technologies.
                      The  MCL has been set at 2 ppb because EPA believes, given present
                    technology and resources, this is the lowest level to which water systems can
                    reasonably be required to remove this contaminant should it occur in drinking
                    water; -• :• ••;;:;;^---^j^               .^.,,........^^.^,. ,.,..., ,..._..^:.^-.,_-.. ,. .. ...

                      These drinking water standards and the regulations for ensuring these stan-
                    dards are met, are.called National Primary Drinking Water Regulations. All public
                    water supplies must abide by these regulations.
WHATARETHE
HEALTH EFFECTS?
                      Short-term: EPA has found thallium to potentially cause the following health
                    effects when people are exposed to it at levels above the MCL for relatively short
                    periods of time:  gastrointestinal irritation; nerve damage.
                      Long-term: Thallium has the potential to cause the following effects from a
                    lifetime exposure at levels above the MCL: changes in blood chemistry; damage
                    to liver, kidney, intestinal and testicular tissues; hair loss.,
How MUCH THALLIUM
IS PRODUCED, AND
RELEASED TO THE
ENVIRONMENT?
                      Thallium is not produced in the US Approximately 4,500 Ibs. of thallium and its
                    compounds were reportedly imported in 1987. Man-made sources of thallium
                    pollution are gaseous emission of cement factories, coal burning power plants,
October 1995
                                  Consumer Version
Printed on Recycled Paper

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                                 and metal sewers. The leaching of thallium
                                 from ore processing operations is the major
                                 source of elevated thallium concentrations
                                 in water. Thallium is. a trace metal associ-
                                 ated with copper, gold, zinc, and cadmium.


                                   Thallium does not long persist if released
                                 to water, but does tiave a r>trong tendency
                                 to accumulate in aquatic life. If released to
                                 land, it may bind to alkaline soils, but may
                                 otherwise migrate to ground  water.     '


                                   The regulation for thallium became effec-
                                 tive in 1994. Between 1993 and 1995, EPA
                                 required your water supplier to collect wa-
ter samples once and analyze them to find out if thallium is present above 2 ppb.
If it  is present above this level, the system must continue to monitor this
contaminant every 3 months. v
   If contaminant levels are found to be consistently above the MCL, your water
supplier must take steps to reduce the amount of thallium so that it is consistently
below that level. The following treatment methods have been approved by EPA
for removing thallium: Activated .alumina; Ion Exchange.


   If the levels of thallium exceed the MCL, the system must notify the public via
newspapers, radio, TV and other means. Additional actions, such as providing
alternative drinking water supplies, may be required to prevent serious risks to
public health.                                              r
RELEASES TO WATER AND LAND:
1987 TO 1993
Water .
TOTALS On pounds) 2.606
Top fifvo States
TX ° -6
OH . 1,500
MM 1,100
CO 0
IN ,0
Mijor Industries*'
Primary copper smelting 1.856
Petrokwm refining 750
Primary nonferrous metals 0
Blast furnaces, steehvories 0


Land .
2,770
'2.020
0
D
500
250

765
' 1.255
500
, 250
WHAT HAPPENS TO
THALLIUM
WHEN IT IS RELEASED TO
THE ENVIRONMENT?.
HOW WILL
THALLIUM
BE DETECTED IN AND
REMOVED FROM
MY DRINKING WATER?
HOW WILL I KNOW IF
TKALUUM is IN MY
DRINKING WATER?
Learn more about your drinking water!

  EPA strongly encourages people to leam more   Your state Department of Health/Environment is also a
abouttheirdrinWng water; and to support local efforts valuable sources of information.
to protect and upgrade the supply of safe drinking   For ne|p jn locating these agencies or for information on
water. Your'water bill or telephone book's govern- drinking water in general, call:    ,          .
ment listings are a good starting point.           .  EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline: (800) 426-4791.
  Your local water supplier can give you a list of the  -ipor additional information on .the uses and releases of
chemicals they test for in your water, as well as how Chemicals in your state, contact the:
your water is treated.                            Community Right-to-Know Hotline: (800) 535-0202.

-------