| Common Sources of Pollution |
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Note: Consult your physician for any medical concerns you might have regarding water contaminants. Our company does not provide advice on health issues. Lead Contamination Lead in drinking water can also cause a variety of adverse health effects. In babies and children, exposure to lead in drinking water can result in delays in physical and mental development, along with slight deficits in abilities. Adults who drink this water over many years could develop kidney problems or high blood pressure. Lead is rarely found in source water, but enters tap water through corrosion of plumbing materials. Very old and poorly maintained homes may be more likely to have lead pipes, joints, and solder. However, new homes are also at risk: pipes legally considered to be “lead -free” may contain up to eight percent lead. These pipes can leach significant amounts of lead in the water for the first several months after their installation. Naturally Occurring Microorganisms (wildlife and soils), radionuclides (underlying rock), nitrates and nitrites (nitrogen compounds in the soil), heavy metals (underground rocks containing arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, and selenium), fluoride. Human Activities Bacteria and nitrates (Human and animal wastes-septic tanks and large farms), heavy metals (mining construction, older fruit orchards), fertilizers and pesticides (used by you and others (anywhere crops or lawns are maintained), industrial products and wastes (local factories, industrial plants, gas stations, dry cleaners, leaking underground storage tanks, landfills, and waste dumps), household wastes (cleaning solvents, used motor oil, paint, paint thinner), lead and copper (household plumbing materials), water treatment chemicals (wastewater treatment plants). Microbial Contamination The potential for health problems from microbial contaminated drinking water is demonstrated by localized outbreaks of waterborne disease. Certain Pathogens (disease-causing microorganisms) Excess levels of nitrate, a chemical most commonly used as a fertilizer, poses an immediate threat to infants when it is found in drinking water at levels above national standard. Avoid using water with high nitrate levels for drinking. This is especially important for infants and young children, nursing mothers, pregnant women and certain elderly people. Organic Chemicals Pesticides, solvents, and other chemicals that seep into ground water supplies. Some are known as volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) because they change (they may evaporate, for example). Most are linked with cancer and/or nervous system, liver and kidney disorders. Inorganic Chemicals These include dangerous metals such as mercury, lead and arsenic; sodium; nitrates and nitrites; asbestos; fluoride; and a variety of natural minerals. Some inorganics are associated with a variety of health problems. Lead is known to cause brain damage and is highly toxic to infants and pregnant women, even in minute doses. It usually comes from lead water pipes, old pipe solder, or lead-based brass fixtures. Microbes, Parasites, Protozoa, Bacteria and Viruses These are by far the most common cause of immediate, acute illnesses from polluted water. Coliform / E. Coli This is most commonly tested to determine if you have coli forms, which are naturally present in the environment. E. Coli, a type of coli form, is only present in human and animal fecal waste. Testing for coli forms and more specifically E. Coli, will indicate if you have possible septic or sewage contamination in your well. OUR LAB IN NEW JERSEY has been performing water testing across the nation for many years and clients include: The Residence of Former President Bill Clinton and the First Family (New York), and U.S. Secret Service, at The White House (D.C.), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ships drinking water (NOAA), US Bureau of Reclamation - Grand Coulee Dam (Washington State), US Army Corp of Engineers (N.J.), McGuire Air Force Base (N.J.), and US Air Force - 133rd Airlift Wing (M.N.), US Navy - Travis Air Force Base (California), US Secret Service (D.C.) (N.Y.), Greene County Conservation District (PA), Eliot Watershed Association (ME), City of Lewisburg (TN), Johnson & Johnson, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Block Drugs (N.J.), Lehn & Fink (N.J.), Rain Soft (P.A.), Ocean Spray (N.J.), American Standard (N.J.), Steppan Chemicals (N.J.), City of Trenton (N.J.), U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD-N.Y.), Lippincott & Jacobs Engineering (N.J.); homeowners, businesses, real estate brokers, home inspectors, industrial bottlers, outsourced QA/QC, hygienists, environmental engineers, IAQ professionals, remediation companies, HVAC contractors, builders, other laboratories, mortgage companies, state and federal offices, state and local public health departments, schools, universities, hospitals, insurance companies, landlords, attorneys, and doctors. We do not sell water treatment equipment so we have nothing to gain by reporting problems in your water. |