Drinking Water Contaminants
Learn about common contaminants found in drinking water, their health effects, and EPA regulatory limits.
Lead
Inorganic LEAD
15
μg/L
Developmental delays in children, kidney problems, high blood pressure in adults
Arsenic
Inorganic ARSENIC
10
μg/L
Skin damage, circulatory system problems, increased risk of cancer
Nitrate
Inorganic NITRATE
10
mg/L
Blue baby syndrome in infants, decreased oxygen-carrying capacity of blood
PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances)
Organic PFAS
0.004
μg/L
Developmental effects, liver damage, immune system effects, increased cancer risk
Chlorine
Disinfectant CHLORINE
4
mg/L
Eye and nose irritation, stomach discomfort, anemia
Total Coliform
Microbial COLIFORM
0
organisms/100mL
Indicator of other potentially harmful bacteria
Copper
Inorganic COPPER
1.3
mg/L
Short-term: gastrointestinal distress, long-term: liver or kidney damage
Fluoride
Inorganic FLUORIDE
4
mg/L
Bone disease, tooth discoloration in children
Total Trihalomethanes
Organic TTHM
0.08
mg/L
Liver, kidney, or central nervous system problems, increased risk of cancer
Radon
Radionuclide RADON
300
pCi/L
Increased risk of cancer