Drinking Water Contaminants and Related Health Problems - Continued

[Herbicides/Pesticides|Arsenic| Lead|Cyanide|Chromium|Zinc & Nickel|Mercury|VOC|Cadmium|Barium|Copper|APC]

HERBICIDE/PESTICIDE SCAN-These compounds have been linked to cancer and other health related problems, symptoms may be similar to those of the flu. Scan also includes PCB's.
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ARSENIC-Arsenic concentrations in excess of 0.01 mg/l may cause loss of energy and fatigue, gastroenteritis, burning esophageal pain, vomiting and copious watery or bloody diarrhea containing shreds of mucous. Death may result due to circulatory failure.
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LEAD-Lead concentrations in excess of 0.015 mg/l may result in black stools, a metallic taste, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, oliguria, (diminution in the quantity of urine excreted), collapse and coma. It is particularly harmful to children for it may lower their intelligence. Pregnant women may bear children with clubfeet, or with neurological, mental or physical abnormalities. It also may be a major cause of hypertension, brain and kidney damage, stroke and heart attacks for middle age men.
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CYANIDE-Low levels of cyanide poisoning 0.20 mg/l may result in weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea and vomiting, which occur rapidly. Ultimately cyanide poisoning results in unresponsive hypotension, respiration slow and gasping, dilated pupils, cyanosis at high levels and finally death. Cyanide has a classical odor of bitter almonds.
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CHROMIUM-Chromium ingestion in excess of 0.05 mg/l may cause dizziness, intense thirst, abdominal pain, vomiting, shock and oliguria or anuria (suppression of urinary output). Hexavalent chromium has been shown to cause cancer in mice.
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ZINC & NICKEL-Zinc concentrations in excess of 5.0 mg/l and nickel concentrations in excess of 0.1 mg/l can cause burning in the mouth and throat, vomiting, watery or bloody diarrhea, tenesmus, retching (strain in vomiting), anuria, liver damage, collapse and convulsions.
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MERCURY-The acceptable limit is 0.002 mg/l. May cause inflammation of mouth and gums, excessive salivation, loosening of teeth, kidney damage, muscle tremors, jerky gait, spasms of extremities, personality changes, depression, irritability, and nervousness.
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VOLATILE ORGANIC CARBONS (VOC) SCAN-Many of these compounds have been linked to cancer and other health related problems. Scan includes trichloroethylene (TCE), carbon tetrachloride, vinyl chloride, benzene and other compounds.
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CADMIUM-The acceptable level is 0.005 mg/l. Cadmium plays a role in bone disease, osteomalacia, and causes increased salivation, choking, vomiting, abdominal pain, anemia, renal dysfunction, diarrhea, and tenesmus.
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BARIUM-The acceptable level is 2 mg/l. Barium may cause increased blood pressure.
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COPPER-The acceptable level is 1.3 mg/l. Copper may cause nausea and diarrhea.
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APC-Can be used to check the effectiveness of charcoal filtration units for they may amplify bacterial populations. The aerobic plate count should not exceed 500/ml.
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mg/l = milligrams per liter