BOC Drinking Water

Where is arsenic found?

naturally occurring, from weathering of soils, minerals or releases from mining industrial effluent

What is the MAC for Aresenic and justification

0.010 ALARA, cancer causing

Where is barium found

naturally occurring, from rocks. Also used in glass making, paper making, electronic and textile industries

What is the MAC for barium, justification

1.0 mg/L, impacts liver, kidney, heart and spleen in drinking water.
lower concentration of barium salts chronically can lead to temporary paralysis or muscle weakness

Where is boron found

naturally occurring, when combined with compounds to create borate, boric acid, boron oxide they can be mined and made into glass, ceramics, soap, bleach, detergent, fire retardant, industrial pesticides

What is the MAC for Boron, justification

2.0mg/L - risk to young boy’s testicles when exposed to acute high levels of boron in drinking water.

Where is chromium found?

Three types of Chromium (0, III, IV):
0/IV: not naturally occurring, usually from industrial or domestic emissions

III: naturally occurring and non toxic

MAC for Chromium, justification

0.05mg/L - can cause allergic dermatitis, liver damage, kidney problems, nerve tissue damage, lung/stomach cancer, and death

Where is fluoride found?

Naturally occurring in its reduced element (Fluorine) in rocks and soil. Used in Aluminum, steel, glass, enamel, brick, tile, pottery and cement

MAC for fluoride, justification

1.5mg/L, high amounts of fluoride can cause dental and skeletal fluorosis

Where is lead found?

Production of lead acidic storage batteries, pigments (old paint), plumbing fittings, solder. Most commonly is pipes in distribution lines made before 1945.

What is the MAC for lead, justification?

0.010 mg/L, decreased red blood cell production, kidney dysfunction, joint pain/muscle weakness, cardiovascular, neurological, neurodevelopmental and reproductive effects.
Lifetime exposure can cause cancer

Where is manganese found?

Naturally occurring in rock/soil weathering (more common in ground water than surface water). Also from industrial use such as fireworks, dry-cell batteries, fertilizers, fungicides and cosmetics/paints

What is the MAC for manganese, justification

MAC: 0.12mg/L, neuropsychological issues in infants and children
AO: 0.02mg/L, causes staining and sedimentation

Where are nitrates and nitrites found?

Naturally occurring through oxidation of nitrogen during microbial decomposition. Also common in agricultural activities, wastewater treatment, discharges from cars and industrial processes.

MAC for Nitrates/Nitrites, justification

Nitrates: 45mg/L

Nitrites: 3mg/L
Justification: possible cancer causing, high nitrate can cause methemoglobinemia (blue baby syndrome)

Where is Selenium found?

Naturally occurring in ores with other elements such as sulphide, silver, copper, lead.
Used in industrial to make glass, electronics, pharmaceuticals, fertilizers, pesticides. Burning of coal, petroleum fuels, metal mining, refining cause industrial waste products

MAC for Selenium, justification

0.05mg/L.
Acute exposure causes diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pains, changes to fingernails and hair
Chronic exposure causes jaundice, intestinal disease, hair loss, weakened nails, tooth decay, fatigue, neurological problems

Where is uranium found?

Naturally occurring in rocks and soil. Can seep into drinking water in a drilled well when there is a crack. Also from industrial creation like tailings ponds, milling, phosphate fertilizer, burning of coal/fossil fuels

MAC for uranium, justification

0.02 mg/L, causes kidney damage and leaves the body via urination/bowel movement slowly