BARIUM FACT SHEET ON A DRINKING WATER CHEMICAL CONTAMINANT GENERAL INFORMATION Synonyms None Chemical Description: Naturally occurring chemical, typically found as an inorganic salt Properties: Exists in nature only in combined forms, [e g Bante (BaSO4)] Solubility of barium salts is compound specific Mineral forms have very low vapor pressures Production and Use: Barium salts are used for a number of purposes such as drilling mud, pigments, photographic papers and x-ray contrast medium, plastic stabilizers, flares and fireworks, lubricating oil additive, permanent magnets, and glass manufacturing ENVIRONMENTAL PROFILE Occurrence: Occurs at low levels in most surface and ground water sources, typically less than 0 34 mg/L Barium compounds occur in most geologic materials at levels between 0 3-0.5 mg/L in 1987. EPA survey data indicated that barium was typically present in drinking water supplies at levels less than 0.2 mg/L Releases: Contamination of drinking water supplies by barium is usually the result of naturally occurring barium rather than industrial releases Released to the atmosphere mainly by the industrial processes of mining, refining, and production of barium and banum based chemicals, also released to air by burning of coal and oil Environmental Fate: Highly persistent in water Not likely to bioaccumuiate HEALTH EFFECTS Humans: Low acute oral toxicity, high doses may cause gastrointestinal disturbances and muscular weakness Chronic exposure difficult to quantify due to lack of effects in existing data Experimental Animals: Lack of data from short-term studies Long-term studies indicate that barium may have hypertensive effects (high blood pressure) No adequate studies on the mutagenic and carcinogenic potential of barium have been identified REGULATORY PROFILE Existing Standards: Clean Air Act (CAA): Not regulated Clean Water Act (CWA): Criteria established Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA): Not regulated Superfund (CERCLA): Not regulated SARA: Toxic chemical Federal Insecticide. Fungicide, and Rodentlclde Act (FIFRA): Registered (Barium compounds) Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA): Not regulated ------- HEALTH INFORMATION Maximum Contaminant Level Goals (MCLG): Non-enforceable levels based solely on an evaluation of possible health risks and exposure, and taking into consideration a margin for public safety Set at 2 mg/L to protect against detrimental cardiovascular effects MCLG for BarIum 2 mg/L (&fectlve January 1993) Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL): Legally enforceable levels for contaminants in public drinking water supplies Based on health risks associated with the contaminants, analytical methods for their assay, and water treatment feasibility and practicality aspects Exceedance of the MCL in drinking water may result in adverse effects which will depend upon the contaminant concentration in water. amount of water/contaminant ingested. length of exposure, and other biological parameters Current MCL = 1 rng/L MCL for Barium :2mg/I (effectIve January 1993) EPA Health Advisories (HA): Short-term HAs: Provide acceptable concentrations of contaminants in water for up to 10 day exposures, primarily to evaluate the public health risk resulting from an accidental spill or an emergency contamination situation Longer-t.rm HAs: Provide guidance for persistent water contamination situations to cover a period of up to 7 years Ufetlm HAs: Derived in the same way as an MCLG WATER TREATMENT Permanent Treatment: Best Available Technology (BAT): Ion Exchange Lime Softening Reverse Osmosis Electrodialysis Reversal SHORT-TERM HAZARD ELIMINATION If the drinking woter stondards ore exceeded install BAT or use an alternative drinking water supply such as bottled water ADDITIONAL HELP State or county health officials can indicate a certified laboratory for testing Experts in the state Department of Environmental Protection or Natural Resources may also be of help The EPA has toil-free numbers for further information on drinking water quality. treatment technologies, for obtaining Health Advisories, and for other regulatory information EPA Hotiines are available Monday through Friday Safe DrinkIng Watec National Pesticides: Superfurid/ RCRA: For information on the Clean (202) 260-7301 For information on the Toxic Substances Control Act, call (202) 554-1404 For information on the Clean Air Act call (919) 541-2777 Health Advisories : (Values cunently under review) ANALYTICAL METHODS Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorbtion EPA Method 2082 Direct Aspiration Atomic Absorbtion EPA Method 208 1 Inductively Coupled Plasma EPA Method 200 7 800-426-4791 800-858- 7378 800-424-9346 Water Act. cclI ------- |