Health Effects of Selected Drinking Water Contaminants

CONTAMINANT	PROBABLE HEALTH EFFECTS*
Arsenic	Malignant tumors of skin and lungs, cramps, spasms, effects to nervous system
Barium	Prolonged stimulant action on muscles, nerve block
Benzene	Associated with cancer, leukemia, anemia
Cadmium	Bronchitis, anemia, gastrointestinal upsets, cancer in rats
Carbon tetrachloride	Central nervous system depression, gastrointestinal effects, liver and kidney damage, coma, death
Chlordane*	Carcinogen, liver and kidney damage
Chlorobenzene	Irritation to respiratory system, central nervous system depression
Chloroform	Possible liver, kidney and heart effects; carcinogenic in at least one animal species
Chromium	Kidney damage, cancer
Copper	Gastrointestinal tract irritant, possible infant fatality, Wilson's disease
Dichlorobenzene(s)*	Suspected carcinogen
1,1-Dichloroethane	Central nervous system depression, liver damage, suggested animal carcinogen
1,2-Dichloroethane	Nausea, mental confusion, liver and kidney damage
Dichloroethylene*	Nausea, dizziness
Ethylenedibromide (EDS)	Decreased fertility
Fluoride	Skeletal damage when present in high levels
Heptachlor	Possible tumor induction, carcinogenic in test animals
Lead	Damage to nervous system, kidneys, reproductive system; cancer in rats
Lindane	Chronic liver damage, anemia, leukemia
Mercury	Kidney impairment, possible death
Methylene chloride*	Toxic
Nickel	Signs of hyperglycemia and gastrointestinal and nervous disorders
Pentachlorophenol (PCP)	Loss of appetite, respiratory difficulties, anesthesia, coma, death
PCBs	Damage to skin and liver; nausea, loss of weight, jaundice, coma, death
Selenium	Carcinogen; irritation to mucous membranes, dermatitis
Sulfate	Laxative action
Tetrachloroethylene	Central nervous system effects; confirmed animal carcinogen, anesthesia, death
Toluene	Narcosis, irritation to eyes and respiratory system
Toxaphene	Possible liver damage
1,1,1-Trichloroethane	Narcosis, depression of central nervous system, unconsciousness, death
1,1,2-Trichloroethane	Possible liver and kidney effects, possible carcinogen in animals
Trichloroethylene	Central nervous system depression, loss of coordination, unconsciousness; strong irritant and carcinogen
2,4,6-Trichlorophenol*	Suspected carcinogen
Trihalomethanes (THMs)	Effects to nervous system and muscles, loss of consciousness
Vinyl chloride	Central nervous system depression, dulling of visual and auditory responses, possible death
Xylene	Mucous membrane irritant, lung congestion, impairment of kidney functions
Zinc	Muscular stiffness and pain, loss of appetite, nausea

Aquacheme : Water Treatment Specialist