| Contaminants |
Source of Contamination |
Potential Health Hazard |
| Inorganic Contaminants |
Fluoride |
Erosion of natural deposits; water additive to promote strong teeth; discharge from aluminum and fertilizer plants |
Bone tenderness and pain |
| Nitrate |
Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks; sewage sources; discharge from natural deposits |
Respiratory and spleen infection; increased risk of cancers; dysfunction of thyroid gland |
| Lead |
Discharge from water service lines; leakage from plumbing fittings in old houses |
Liver and kidney damage (especially pregnant women and children); increased risk of cancers |
| Arsenic* |
Discharge from mining and chemical plants; leakage from oil and gas wells |
Damage to heart, liver, bladder and kidney; impaired central nervous system |
| Organic Chemical Contaminants |
Volatile |
Chlorine |
Water additive used to control microbes; septic tanks |
Eye and nose irritation; stomach discomfort |
| Haloacetic acids |
By-product of drinking water disinfection; urban storm water runoff |
Increased risk of cancers; liver and kidney disease |
| Total trihalomethanes |
By-product of drinking water disinfection; septic tanks; urban storm water runoff |
Increased risk of cancers; liver and kidney disease |
Synthetic
(mainly pesticides and herbicides) |
Examples: Atrazine, rotenone, paraquat, dibromochloro-propane, etc. |
Agriculture; residential uses; urban storm water runoff |
Increased risk of cancers; liver and kidney disease;
key endocrine (e.g. estrogen) disruptors – Rotenone and paraquat have been associated with Parkinson’s disease (Tanner et al. 2011) |
| Microbial contaminants |
Viruses, bacteria,
protozoa and parasites, e.g. Giardia limblia |
Human and animal waste; sewage system |
Gastrointestinal illness (mainly diarrhea, vomiting and cramps); headaches |
| Radioactive contaminants* |
Examples:
Radon gas,
Radium (226/228) |
Groundwater; oil and gas wells;
radon leakage from homes |
Increased risk of lung cancer |
