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| Acid Water (low pH) | Corrosive water attacks piping and other metals; red and/or green staining of fixtures and laundry |
| Arsenic | Malignant tumors of skin and lungs, cramps, spasms, effects to nervous system |
| Barium | Prolonged stimulant action on muscles, nerve block |
| Benzene | Associated with cancer, leukemia, anemia |
| Cadmium | Bronchitis, anemia, gastrointestinal upsets, cancer in rats |
| Carbon tetrachloride | Central nervous system depression, gastrointestinal effects, liver and kidney damage, coma, death |
| Chlordane* | Carcinogen, liver and kidney damage |
| Chlorobenzene | Irritation to respiratory system, central nervous system depression |
| Chloroform | Possible liver, kidney and heart effects; carcinogenic in at least one animal species |
| Chromium | Kidney damage, cancer |
| Coliform Bacteria | Can cause serious disease and intestinal disorders |
| Copper | Gastrointestinal tract irritant, possible infant fatality, Wilson's disease |
| Dichlorobenzene(s)* | Suspected carcinogen |
| 1,1-Dichloroethane | Central nervous system depression, liver damage, suggested animal carcinogen |
| 1,2-Dichloroethane | Nausea, mental confusion, liver and kidney damage |
| Dichloroethylene* | Nausea, dizziness |
| Ethylenedibromide (EDB) | Decreased fertility |
| Hardness* (calcium & magnesium) |
Scale in pipes and water heaters; causes "soap cur" on fixtures, tile, dishes and laundry; low sudsing characteristics |
| Heptachlor | Possible tumor induction, carcinogenic in test animals |
| Iron/Manganese* | Causes discolored water; red, brown, orange or black stains on fixtures, appliances and laundry; dark scale in pipes and water heaters |
| Lead | Damage to nervous system, kidneys, reproductive system; cancer in rats |
| Lindane | Chronic liver damage, anemia, leukemia |
| Mercury | Kidney impairment, possible death |
| Methylene chloride* | Toxic |
| Nickel | Signs of hyperglycemia and gastrointestinal and nervous disorders |
| Nitrates/Chlorides | Can cause health-related problems if quantities are high |
| Pentachlorophenol (PCP) | Loss of appetite, respiratory difficulties, anesthesia, coma, death |
| PCBs | Damage to skin and liver; nausea, loss of weight, jaundice, coma, death |
| Selenium | Carcinogen; irritation to mucous membranes, dermatitis |
| Sulfate | Laxative action |
| Tetrachloroethylene | Central nervous system effects; confirmed animal carcinogen, anesthesia, death |
| Narcosis | irritation to eyes and respiratory system |
| Toxaphene | Possible liver damage |
| 1,1,1-Trichloroethane | Narcosis, depression of central nervous system, unconsciousness, death |
| 1,1,2-Trichloroethane | Possible liver and kidney effects, possible carcinogen in animals |
| Trichloroethylene | Central nervous system depression, loss of coordination, unconsciousness; strong irritant and carcinogen |
| 2,4,6-Trichlorophenol* | Suspected carcinogen |
| Trihalomethanes (THMs) | Effects to nervous system and muscles, loss of consciousness |
| Turbidity | Suspended matter in water; examples include mud, clay, silt and sand; can ruin seats, seals and moving parts in appliances |
| Vinyl chloride | Central nervous system depression, dulling of visual and auditory responses, possible death |
| Xylene | Mucous membrane irritant, lung congestion, impairment of kidney functions |
| Zinc | Muscular stiffness and pain, loss of appetite, nausea |
* Denotes the more common contaminants.
The Assembly Office of Research states that the health effects listed for these substances were compiled from the following sources:
"Drinking Water and Health", National Academy of Sciences, Safe Drinking Water Committee, 1977
"Contamination of Ground Water by Toxic Organic Chemicals", U.S. Council on Environmental Quality, 1981
"Carcinogenic Hazards of Organic Chemicals in Drinking Water", R.H. Harris, T. Page, and
N.A. Reiches, 1977.
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© 2001 May E. Dooley -
Enviro Health Environmental Home Inspections |
