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Water
Contaminants |
If you've ever noticed rusty orange
or blue/green stains in your sinks, tubs or toilets, or an unpleasant smell in
your water, you are among the many afflicted with problem water. Some water
contains troublesome elements, has characteristics which can make it very
unpleasant to use, or is damaging to things that it touches. Among them are iron,
manganese, hydrogen sulfide and acidity. We can provide filtration solutions
that can remove virtually any organic or inorganic material, leaving you with
clean, pure, and chemical free water.
To view a list of contaminants and
their accepted Maximum Contaminant Level click here.
For additional information on drinking
water and health, visit the Environmental Protection Agency's website by
clicking here.
The chart below lists the most
commonly found contaminants in our water. In most situations, more than one
contaminant will exist in the water and will require more than one method of filtration.
Occasionally, the unique combinations of contaminants precludes the standard
filtration methods suggested below and will require a unique solution. Click on
the name of the contaminant to learn about it as well as the filtrations
solutions available.
Total
Dissolved Solids:
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Total Dissolved Solids is the sum of the mineral salts in water and, if too high, can result in objectionable taste, cloudy ice, interference with the flavor of foods and beverages, and
can leave behind scale on cookware. Generally speaking, the lower the TDS the more acceptable the drinking water. TDS of 500 ppm or more is unacceptable for drinking water. Reverse Osmosis
(RO) process has proven itself as the most practical and cost effective method of correcting problems caused by high TDS. |
Solutions:
| Reverse Osmosis (RO) Systems
RO systems are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control as one of the most effective ways of protecting residential drinking water. They utilize a
semi permeable membrane to reduce contaminants. When water is forced against the membrane, a portion of it passes through, while impurities are left behind to be carried away. |
 |
Reverse osmosis is effective against dissolved salts, suspended solids, dissolved chemicals and a wide variety of other contaminants that cannot be seen by the naked eye. When choosing an RO system, look for a unit with a high recovery rate (recovery rate = amount of water produced divided by amount of water used). Generally, a rate of 25% is considered efficient. Certain systems also employ a membrane rinse feature that cleans the membrane with the clean water produced by the system to prolong its life and ensure that it continues to produce only the best quality water. |
Back to Chart
Low pH:
Acid Water:
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Acidity is another characteristic that can influence a family's water supply. Acidic water, which is described as water that is low in pH (below 7 on a scale of 1 to 14) can leach copper from pipes. This causes a blue/green stain to form around fixtures and in sinks.
When water is acidic, it must be neutralized or it will corrode plumbing and
fixtures, and could damage water-using appliances. A neutralizer containing
calcite chips is often used to reduce water acidity. As water flows through the
bed of calcite, the chips dissolve into the water and neutralize its acidity.
They also add hardness minerals to the water which can then be removed by a
water softener.
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Solutions:
Back to Chart
Manganese:
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Manganese may be found in deep well waters at concentrations as high as 2 - 3
mg per liter. Concentrations higher than 0.05 mg per liter cause manganese deposits and staining of clothing and plumbing fixtures. The stains are dark brown to black in nature. The use of chlorine bleach in the laundry will cause the stains to set. The chemistry of manganese in water is similar to that of iron. A high level of manganese in the water produces an unpleasant odor and taste. Organic materials can tie up manganese in the same manner as they do iron; therefore destruction of the organic matter is a necessary part of manganese
removal. |
Solutions:
| Water Softeners
Common home water conditioners can remove average amounts of dissolved
manganese from a family's
water supply. |
 |
Using soft water saves you money on soaps
and cleaners; you’ll need less of them to get great results. And soft
water also protects your appliances and plumbing from damaging hard water
scale buildup, and your sinks and fixtures from sticky soap scum. Best of
all, clean, conditioned water keeps you cleaner because it rinses away
soap and shampoo better than hard water. |
|
Multi-Stage Removal Systems
When manganese appears in excessive amounts, a specialized
removal system may be required. Aeration equipment or chlorine can be used to inject oxygen into the water and change the dissolved iron into ferric iron. The ferric iron can then be removed by special automatic backwashing filters, leaving the water clean and clear. In some cases, special filters can perform both the oxidation and filtration functions.
|
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Whole house automatic filters provide clean
water by removing troublesome elements like iron and chlorine, or
suspended solids that can make water appear dirty or cloudy. The filter
media can be composed of one or more of the following materials:
Carbon - Removes chlorine and
objectionable odors for fresher water.
Calcite - Raises pH to neutralize water and eliminate acid water
problems.
Filter-Ag - Removes dirt, sediment and other suspended matter down
to 20 micron.
Birm - Oxidizes and removes iron and manganese depending upon
specific water chemistry.
|
Back to Chart
Iron:
Iron in water is a common problem. Since iron makes up five percent of the
earth's crust, water absorbs it as it passes through the ground and into
underground aquifers, wells and surface waters. Unfortunately, iron creates some
annoying problems. Iron is generally found in well water, although city water
users are not immune from the problems associated with it.
 Iron
typically rears its ugly head as rusty orange/brown stains, streaks or spots on
clothing cleaned in a washing machine. Stains also appear on bathtubs, sinks and
faucets. Even small amounts of iron can cause problems. Iron in concentrations
as low as .3 parts per million can cause staining. And iron staining can be
difficult to remove; cleaning may require special solvents. Iron can also clog
pipes and damage the internal parts of water-using appliances.
Iron exists in three common forms:
elemental iron, ferrous iron and ferric iron. The elemental form of iron is
found in the ground. Ferrous iron is in a dissolved state within a water supply
and will not cause any discoloration, although a distinct metallic taste will be
present. When the dissolved iron reacts with oxygen however, ferric iron
results. Ferric iron turns the water a hazy, reddish-brown color and makes it
very unappealing. Ferric iron stains bathtubs, sinks and fixtures when it comes
in contact with them. Even though iron is generally dissolved in water, when the
water is drawn from the tap, the iron reacts with the oxygen in the air and
enters the ferric state. In some cases, water may already carry ferric iron when
it's drawn from a faucet, and may appear discolored.
Solutions:
No matter which form iron appears in, there is a solution available. Typically one of the following two methods is used:
| Water Softeners
Common home water conditioners can remove average amounts of dissolved iron from a family's
water supply. |
|
Using soft water saves you money on soaps
and cleaners; you’ll need less of them to get great results. And soft
water also protects your appliances and plumbing from damaging hard water
scale buildup, and your sinks and fixtures from sticky soap scum. Best of
all, clean, conditioned water keeps you cleaner because it rinses away
soap and shampoo better than hard water. |
|
Multi-Stage Iron Removal Systems
When iron appears in excessive amounts, a specialized iron removal system may be required. Aeration equipment or chlorine can be used to inject oxygen into the water and change the dissolved iron into ferric iron. The ferric iron can then be removed by special automatic backwashing filters, leaving the water clean and clear. In some cases, special filters can perform both the oxidation and filtration functions.
|
|
Whole house automatic filters provide clean
water by removing troublesome elements like iron and chlorine, or
suspended solids that can make water appear dirty or cloudy. The filter
media can be composed of one or more of the following materials:
Carbon - Removes chlorine and
objectionable odors for fresher water.
Calcite - Raises pH to neutralize water and eliminate acid water
problems.
Filter-Ag - Removes dirt, sediment and other suspended matter down
to 20 micron.
Birm - Oxidizes and removes iron and manganese depending upon
specific water chemistry.
|
Back to Chart
Hydrogen Sulfide:
Hydrogen sulfide (also commonly referred to as Sulfur), although not a cause of
staining, gives water an obnoxious, "rotten egg" odor that can make it
unbearable to drink, cook with or even bathe in. Because it is a weak acid,
hydrogen sulfide can also promote corrosion. And its presence in the air causes
silver to tarnish in seconds. High concentrations are flammable and can be
poisonous.
Traditionally, hydrogen sulfide was removed by
first converting it into elemental sulfur, a yellowish powder that could be
removed with filters. The process works similarly to that which was used to
filter iron from water. First, aeration, or chlorination oxidized the
contaminant. The oxygen or chlorine reacted with the hydrogen sulfide to produce
sulfur, which was then removed with an automatic backwash filter.
Newer technologies utilize specialized sulfur
removal media in a single, complete system to eliminate hydrogen sulfide in one
step. Kinetico Sulphur Guard systems, for example, use proprietary technology to
take care of hydrogen sulfide problems without requiring multiple stages of
expensive, cumbersome, high-maintenance equipment.
Solutions:
Carbon Filters
|
 |
Activated carbon can reduce chlorine, VOCs, tastes, odors and, in some cases, lead. Carbon filters are available in a wide variety of sizes and styles, from small units that can be attached to the end of a faucet to in-line systems that must be connected to a home's plumbing. Filter cartridges must be changed regularly to ensure optimum contaminant reduction. Some systems eliminate guesswork by alerting you when a filter change is necessary. |
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Chlorine:
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Although chlorine is not officially classified as a cause of "problem water", it is getting more and more attention for its adverse effects once inside the home. In addition to creating an unpleasant taste and odor which can deter consumers from drinking their recommended eight glasses of water a day, chlorine also dries skin and hair and is known to fade clothing during the wash cycle. During showering, chlorine is absorbed through the skin and may also be inhaled in vapor form. |
Solutions:
Carbon Filters
|
|
Activated carbon can reduce chlorine, VOCs, tastes, odors and, in some cases, lead. Carbon filters are available in a wide variety of sizes and styles, from small units that can be attached to the end of a faucet to in-line systems that must be connected to a home's plumbing. Filter cartridges must be changed regularly to ensure optimum contaminant reduction. Some systems eliminate guesswork by alerting you when a filter change is necessary. |
Back to Chart
Hardness & Calcium:
Results from the U.S. Geological Survey indicate that 85 percent of American homes are supplied with hard water. Hard water contains dissolved calcium and magnesium ions. Commonly referred to as "hardness minerals," dissolved calcium and magnesium can cause numerous problems when present in a water supply. Whether it's from a well or a municipal water utility, water usually contains these troublesome elements.
As water falls from the sky in its various forms, it absorbs carbon dioxide in the air and becomes slightly acidic. Water in this weak acid state reaches and enters the ground. Since it is acidic, it absorbs calcium and magnesium, among other things, from the layers of rock through which it passes. The minerals neutralize the water's acidity but also make it hard. Then the water finds its way into larger bodies of water both above and below ground, and eventually into our homes.
Water hardness is typically measured in "grains per gallon," an indication of the quantity of dissolved calcium and magnesium the water contains. In amounts as small as one grain per gallon, water is classified as "hard" to a certain degree. Most homes use water that is considerably harder. While many families choose to soften their water by removing the calcium and magnesium with home water treatment equipment, many don't even realize they have hard water.
How to Recognize Hard Water
Probably the most recognizable symptoms of hard water are soap scum in the tub and shower, and hard water spots on faucets and fixtures. According to an Ohio State University study, the average person cleaning a home spends more than six hours a month cleaning tap water spots, streaks and scum alone. Hardness minerals react with soaps and detergents to form an insoluble, sticky residue that's difficult to rinse from bathtubs, sinks, faucets and fixtures. The same soap residue is often left on hair, skin and clothing, too. Although not highly visible in these instances, it can cause your skin to dry and itch, and clothing to fade and wear prematurely.
Hard water causes other problems, as well. Over time, scale formed from continuous contact with dissolved minerals in water can collect inside plumbing and on the internal parts of water-using appliances. Service calls to plumbers and repair persons may become necessary as water pressure drops and mechanical parts stop working.
Hard water scale can also coat the inside of a water heater and drastically reduce its heating efficiency. Greater fuel consumption and higher utility bills result when the appliance has to heat water through a layer of rock. According to a study commissioned by the Water Quality Research Council and conducted at New Mexico State University, water heaters work 22-30 percent less efficiently with hard water, driving up utility bills unnecessarily.
What is Soft Water?
Soft water is essentially free of dissolved calcium or magnesium. A small percentage of homes are supplied with naturally soft water. But since naturally soft water usually has not been neutralized by passing through mineral layers in the ground, it can be quite corrosive. Softening water mechanically, such as with a home water softener, does not make it corrosive, however.
Since calcium and magnesium are not present in soft water, no adverse reaction with soaps and detergents occurs. The result is the virtual elimination of soap scum and the corresponding reduction in time spent cleaning. Hair and skin can "breathe" more readily. And the School of Consumer & Family Sciences at Purdue University recently conducted a study which proved that the life of clothing and household textiles was prolonged up to 15 percent when they were washed in conditioned water.
Soap usage can be dramatically reduced with soft water. Since the water is already soft, the cleaning agents have no hardness minerals to react with and overcome, lather more readily and work more effectively. In fact, a large proportion of the ingredients in most soaps and detergents consist of chemical "water softeners" added to prevent the reaction between the detergent and the hardness minerals present in most water (the reaction that forms a sticky residue or soap curd). Since such chemicals are not necessary for cleaning with soft water, less soap is required. Soft water households experience considerable savings on laundry detergent, dishwashing detergent, bath soap, hand soap, shampoo and many other cleaning products.
Many soft water users purchase pure soaps, products that do not contain additional chemicals or perfumes. These supplies are generally less expensive but clean just as well as (if not better than) their heavily advertised counterparts.
Since soft water contains no scale forming minerals, it leaves the inside of plumbing and water using appliances free of solidified rock. Appliances operate more efficiently and last longer when using soft water. Leading appliance manufacturers including Maytag have recognized the problems that hard water causes and recommend the use of home water conditioners to help their own products operate more efficiently.
Solutions:
The most common method used for softening water is ion exchange, where the dissolved calcium and magnesium ions are exchanged for sodium or potassium (commonly referred to as regenerant) ions. Sodium and potassium do not cause the problems that are associated with calcium and magnesium. The process is the basis for most water softening equipment on the market today.
Water enters a water softener where it comes in contact with a bed of tiny beads that hold sodium chloride or potassium chloride ions. Since the beads are chemically more attracted to calcium and magnesium ions, ion exchange occurs. The calcium and magnesium ions "stick" to the surface of the beads, dislodging the sodium or potassium. After the beads are completely exhausted (i.e. covered with calcium and magnesium), a solution is introduced to the system to wash away the calcium and magnesium, and replace the sodium or potassium (a process known as regeneration). After the extra solution is rinsed from the resin bed, the entire ion exchange cycle begins again.
Automatic Water Conditioners
Perform all functions automatically, but rely on an electric timer that initiates regeneration at preset intervals (usually every other day at 3:00am), no matter how much of the system's capacity has been used. Regeneration can occur too often and decrease efficiency, or not often enough and allow hard water into the home. Since these units typically employ only a single softening tank, only hard water is available to the home when they regenerate.
Demand-Initiated Regeneration (DIR) Water Conditioners
Measure water usage and regenerate only when the system has been used to capacity for optimum efficiency. Single tank DIR systems are typically not as efficient as systems that employ two resin tanks. In single tank units, if regeneration is necessary at a time of the day when soft water may be needed, they must wait until a more appropriate time to regenerate so hard water isn't introduced into the home. To do so, single tank DIR units must employ a reserve capacity of softening resin to make it through the rest of the day. If the reserve isn't enough, the home will be forced to use hard water until the system regenerates. If the reserve is too large, the system won't be used to capacity but regeneration will occur anyway, wasting water and regenerant.
Because twin tank DIR systems automatically switch from tank to tank as they exhaust, they are able to provide a continuous supply of conditioned water, 24 hours a day. Some systems even use soft water to clean themselves to improve efficiency. Countercurrent regeneration also improves the systems' effectiveness. Recommended by most resin manufacturers, countercurrent regeneration regenerates the resin beads more efficiently by reversing the flow through the system during the cleaning process.
| Water Softeners
Common home water conditioners can remove average amounts of dissolved iron from a family's
water supply. |
|
Using soft water saves you money on soaps
and cleaners; you’ll need less of them to get great results. And soft
water also protects your appliances and plumbing from damaging hard water
scale buildup, and your sinks and fixtures from sticky soap scum. Best of
all, clean, conditioned water keeps you cleaner because it rinses away
soap and shampoo better than hard water. |
Additionally, leading consumer publications including Consumers Digest have recognized that non-electric, twin tank DIR water conditioners have distinct advantages over those that operate with electricity.
Water conditioners may be designed to help with other water problems, too, including the reduction of radium, barium and excess iron. In severe cases, however, a separate system may be required for proper performance.
Back to Chart
Bacteria-E Coli:
Bacteria and Microorganisms
Micro-organisms include tiny bacteria, viruses and cysts that exist in nature. Although local water supplies are treated by various processes, including chlorine, these organisms can survive in the water delivered to our home for use in bathing, washing and, of course, drinking.
Although most are harmless, exposure to dangerous micro-organisms can result in severe illness. Especially vulnerable are elderly people, those with weakened immune systems, and children. The most effective way to destroy these organisms and prevent the potential for illness is through disinfection of your water at home using ultraviolet (UV) light. Connected to the water supply line in your home, ultraviolet disinfection provides a final barrier to these organisms for your entire house-hold.
While other home water treatment processes such as filtration or water softeners will improve the taste and clarity of your water, they are not designed to protect against dangerous micro-organisms. UV will instantly and effectively render dangerous organisms harmless.
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E coli |
Fecal Coli form and E coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Microbes in these wastes can cause short-term effects, such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms.
Solutions:
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Ultraviolet Systems (UV)
Ultraviolet sterilization works by dissociating the DNA structure of living cells thus preventing their multiplication. To destroy molecular chains requires a UV dose dependent on the organism type and at the germicidal wavelength of 253.7 nm. UV light between 200 and 280 nm is called shortwave UV light, or more commonly
UVC, and has germicidal properties.
The UV disinfection unit comprises an enclosed chamber with an inner sleeve of high purity quartz, which contains one or more shortwave ultraviolet lamp/s. Water passes through the chamber and is subjected to the UVC which shines through the quartz sleeve. As the genetic structure of bacteria or viruses in the water are exposed to the UVC it will be destroyed.
Since they disinfect water rather than remove contaminants, UV systems are usually installed with other filters.
|
 |
Our systems have a modular design, which enables us to draw up solutions that are specific to our clients’ needs in all areas of ultraviolet disinfection.
Wedeco UV systems are characterized by their high disinfection performance, combined with compact construction and low energy consumption. Depending on the application, special ranges are available that can be easily integrated into existing systems. |
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Cysts- Cryptosporidium,
Giardia:
Cryptosporidium parvum, a single-celled animal, i.e., a protozoa.
The infective stage of the organism, the oocyst is 3 um in diameter or about half the size of a red blood cell. The sporocysts are resistant to most chemical disinfectants, but are susceptible to drying and
ultraviolet light. To date, there is no known effective drug for the treatment of cryptosporidiosis.
Giardia duodenalis, cause of giardiasis (GEE-are-DYE-uh-sis), is a one-celled, microscopic parasite that can live in the intestines of animals and people. It is found in every region throughout the world and has become recognized as one of the most common causes of waterborne (and occasionally
food borne) illness.
Giardiasis is most frequently associated with the consumption of contaminated water. Five outbreaks have been traced to food contamination by infected or infested food handlers, and the possibility of infections from contaminated vegetables that are eaten raw cannot be excluded. Cool moist conditions favor the survival of the organism.
Giardiasis is more prevalent in children than in adults, possibly because many individuals seem to have a lasting immunity after infection. This organism is implicated in 25% of the cases of gastrointestinal disease and may be present asymptomatically. The overall incidence of infection in the United States is estimated at 2% of the population.
The disease is also common in child day care centers, especially those in which diapering is done.
Solutions:
|
Ultraviolet Systems (UV)
Ultraviolet sterilization works by dissociating the DNA structure of living cells thus preventing their multiplication. To destroy molecular chains requires a UV dose dependent on the organism type and at the germicidal wavelength of 253.7 nm. UV light between 200 and 280 nm is called shortwave UV light, or more commonly
UVC, and has germicidal properties.
The UV disinfection unit comprises an enclosed chamber with an inner sleeve of high purity quartz, which contains one or more shortwave ultraviolet lamp/s. Water passes through the chamber and is subjected to the UVC which shines through the quartz sleeve. As the genetic structure of bacteria or viruses in the water are exposed to the UVC it will be destroyed.
Since they disinfect water rather than remove contaminants, UV systems are usually installed with other filters.
|
|
Our systems have a modular design, which enables us to draw up solutions that are specific to our clients’ needs in all areas of ultraviolet disinfection.
Wedeco UV systems are characterized by their high disinfection performance, combined with compact construction and low energy consumption. Depending on the application, special ranges are available that can be easily integrated into existing systems. |
| Reverse Osmosis (RO) Systems
RO systems are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control as one of the most effective ways of protecting residential drinking water. They utilize a
semi permeable membrane to reduce contaminants. When water is forced against the membrane, a portion of it passes through, while impurities are left behind to be carried away. |
|
Reverse osmosis is effective against dissolved salts, suspended solids, dissolved chemicals and a wide variety of other contaminants that cannot be seen by the naked eye. When choosing an RO system, look for a unit with a high recovery rate (recovery rate = amount of water produced divided by amount of water used). Generally, a rate of 25% is considered efficient. Certain systems also employ a membrane rinse feature that cleans the membrane with the clean water produced by the system to prolong its life and ensure that it continues to produce only the best quality water. |
|
Multi-Stage Removal Systems
|
|
Whole house automatic filters provide clean
water by removing troublesome elements like iron and chlorine, or
suspended solids that can make water appear dirty, cloudy, and contain
microorganisms. The filter
media can be composed of one or more of the following materials:
Carbon - Removes chlorine and
objectionable odors for fresher water.
Calcite - Raises pH to neutralize water and eliminate acid water
problems.
Filter-Ag - Removes dirt, sediment and other suspended matter down
to 20 micron.
Birm - Oxidizes and removes iron and manganese depending upon
specific water chemistry.
|
Back to Chart
Methane:
Solutions:
Back to Chart
Radionuclides
and Radon:
Radon is a radioactive gas which comes from the natural breakdown (radioactive decay) of radium, which is itself a decay product of uranium. The primary source of radon in homes is from the underlying soil and bedrock. However, an additional source could be the water supply, particularly if the house is served by a private well or a small community water system.
Solutions:
Carbon Filters
|
|
Activated carbon can reduce chlorine, VOCs, tastes, odors and, in some cases, lead. Carbon filters are available in a wide variety of sizes and styles, from small units that can be attached to the end of a faucet to in-line systems that must be connected to a home's plumbing. Filter cartridges must be changed regularly to ensure optimum contaminant reduction. Some systems eliminate guesswork by alerting you when a filter change is necessary. |
Back to Chart
Arsenic:
Arsenic is a metalloid element that occurs
naturally throughout the world. It's the 20th most abundant element in the
Earth's crust. Long term exposure of humans via drinking water has been directly
linked to cancer of the skin, lungs, bladder, and kidneys. Toxicity is
cumulative. Arsenic can also cause acute gastrointestinal and cardiac damage and
vascular disorders. Non-lethal effects include diabetes, keratosis. heart
disease and high blood pressure.
Source
- Arsenic is widely distributed throughout the earth's crust.
- Arsenic is introduced into water through the dissolution of minerals and ores, and concentrations in groundwater in some areas are elevated as a result of erosion from local rocks.
- Industrial effluents also contribute arsenic to water in some areas.
- Arsenic is also used commercially e.g. in alloying agents and wood preservatives.
- Combustion of fossil fuels is a source of arsenic in the environment through disperse atmospheric deposition.
- Inorganic arsenic can occur in the environment in several forms but in natural waters, and thus in drinking-water, it is mostly found as trivalent arsenite (As(III)) or pentavalent arsenate (As (V)). Organic arsenic species, abundant in seafood, are very much less harmful to health, and are readily eliminated by the body.
Effects
- Chronic arsenic poisoning, as occurs after long-term exposure through drinking- water is very different to acute poisoning. Immediate symptoms on an acute poisoning typically include vomiting,
esophageal and abdominal pain, and bloody "rice water" diarrhea. Chelation therapy may be effective in acute poisoning but should not be used against long-term poisoning.
- The symptoms and signs that arsenic causes, appear to differ between individuals, population groups and geographic areas. Thus, there is no universal definition of the disease caused by arsenic. This complicates the assessment of the burden on health of arsenic. Similarly, there is no method to identify those cases of internal cancer that were caused by arsenic from cancers induced by other factors.
- Long-term exposure to arsenic via drinking-water causes cancer of the skin, lungs, urinary bladder, and kidney, as well as other skin changes such as pigmentation changes and thickening (hyperkeratosis).
- Increased risks of lung and bladder cancer and of arsenic-associated skin lesions have been observed at drinking-water arsenic concentrations of less than 0.05 mg/L.
- Absorption of arsenic through the skin is minimal and thus hand-washing, bathing, laundry, etc. with water containing arsenic do not pose human health risk.
- Following long-term exposure, the first changes are usually observed in the skin: pigmentation changes, and then hyperkeratosis. Cancer is a late phenomenon, and usually takes more than 10 years to develop.
- The relationship between arsenic exposure and other health effects is not clear-cut. For example, some studies have reported hypertensive and cardiovascular disease, diabetes and reproductive effects.
Solutions:
| Reverse Osmosis (RO) Systems
RO systems are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control as one of the most effective ways of protecting residential drinking water. They utilize a
semi permeable membrane to reduce contaminants. When water is forced against the membrane, a portion of it passes through, while impurities are left behind to be carried away. |
|
Reverse osmosis is effective against dissolved salts, suspended solids, dissolved chemicals and a wide variety of other contaminants that cannot be seen by the naked eye. When choosing an RO system, look for a unit with a high recovery rate (recovery rate = amount of water produced divided by amount of water used). Generally, a rate of 25% is considered efficient. Certain systems also employ a membrane rinse feature that cleans the membrane with the clean water produced by the system to prolong its life and ensure that it continues to produce only the best quality water. |
Back to Chart
Lead:
Lead is a serious threat to human health and can adversely affect almost every organ in the human body. The most sensitive is the central nervous system, but immune system, red blood cell, and kidney damage are also common effects. Lead exposure during pregnancy can lead to spontaneous fetal abortion, decreased infant size and irreversible brain damage. Children are especially susceptible to lead poisoning because they absorb and retain more lead in proportion to their weight than adults. Learning difficulties and reduced growth rate are common effects of childhood exposure.
Typically, lead gets into your water after the water leaves your local treatment plant or your well. That is, the source of lead in your home's water is most likely pipe or solder in your home's own plumbing. The most common cause is corrosion, a reaction between the water and the lead pipes or solder. Dissolved oxygen, low pH (acidity) and low mineral content in water are common causes of corrosion. All kinds of water, however, may have high levels of lead. One factor that increases corrosion is the practice of grounding electrical equipment (such as telephones) to water pipes. Any electric current traveling through the ground wire will accelerate the corrosion of lead in the pipes.
Solutions:
| Reverse Osmosis (RO) Systems
RO systems are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control as one of the most effective ways of protecting residential drinking water. They utilize a
semi permeable membrane to reduce contaminants. When water is forced against the membrane, a portion of it passes through, while impurities are left behind to be carried away. |
|
Reverse osmosis is effective against dissolved salts, suspended solids, dissolved chemicals and a wide variety of other contaminants that cannot be seen by the naked eye. When choosing an RO system, look for a unit with a high recovery rate (recovery rate = amount of water produced divided by amount of water used). Generally, a rate of 25% is considered efficient. Certain systems also employ a membrane rinse feature that cleans the membrane with the clean water produced by the system to prolong its life and ensure that it continues to produce only the best quality water. |
Carbon Filters
|
|
Activated carbon can reduce chlorine, VOCs, tastes, odors and, in some cases, lead. Carbon filters are available in a wide variety of sizes and styles, from small units that can be attached to the end of a faucet to in-line systems that must be connected to a home's plumbing. Filter cartridges must be changed regularly to ensure optimum contaminant reduction. Some systems eliminate guesswork by alerting you when a filter change is necessary. |
Back to Chart
Atrazine:
Atrazine is a white, crystalline solid organic compound. It is a widely used herbicide for control of broadleaf and grassy weeds. Atrazine was estimated to be the most heavily used herbicide in the United States in 1987/89, with its most extensive use for corn and soybeans.
The EPA has found Atrazine to potentially cause the following health effects when people are exposed to it at levels above the MCL for relatively short periods of time: congestion of heart, lungs and kidneys; low blood pressure; muscle spasms; weight loss; damage to adrenal glands.
Atrazine may be released to the environment in wastewater from manufacturing facilities and through its use as a herbicide. Atrazine was the second most frequently detected pesticide in EPA's National Survey of Pesticides in Drinking Water Wells. EPA's Pesticides in Ground Water Database indicates numerous detections of
Atrazine at concentrations above the MCL in ground water in several States.
Microbial activity and other chemicals may breakdown Atrazine in soil and water, particularly in alkaline conditions. Sunlight and evaporation do not reduce its presence. It may bind to some soils, but generally tends to leach to ground water.
Solutions:
| Reverse Osmosis (RO) Systems
RO systems are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control as one of the most effective ways of protecting residential drinking water. They utilize a
semi permeable membrane to reduce contaminants. When water is forced against the membrane, a portion of it passes through, while impurities are left behind to be carried away. |
|
Reverse osmosis is effective against dissolved salts, suspended solids, dissolved chemicals and a wide variety of other contaminants that cannot be seen by the naked eye. When choosing an RO system, look for a unit with a high recovery rate (recovery rate = amount of water produced divided by amount of water used). Generally, a rate of 25% is considered efficient. Certain systems also employ a membrane rinse feature that cleans the membrane with the clean water produced by the system to prolong its life and ensure that it continues to produce only the best quality water. |
Back to Chart |
