HEALTH EFFECTS OF CHEMICAL CONTAMINANTS Linda Himmelbauer Chemist U.S. EPA, Region VIII

1. HEALTH EFFECTS OF CHEMICAL CONTAMINANTSLinda HimmelbauerChemistU.S. EPA, Region VIII Nitrate/Nitrite Radium*Uranium*Radon Iron * Manganese Sulfate* Fluoride* TDS

2. ACUTE vs. CHRONIC • Acute - Symptoms show up in a short period of time (0-7 days) • Sub-Chronic - Symptoms show up in 7 days - 7 years. • Chronic - Symptoms show up in 7 years - lifetime.

3. Chronic:CARCINOGEN vs. NON-CARCINOGEN • Carcinogen - chemical found to cause cancer in laboratory animals or humans. • Non-Carcinogen - chemical found to cause disorders and diseases such as reproductive abnormalities, nervous system problems.

4. NITRATES & NITRITES • WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE? • Inorganic Ion • NO3- = Nitrate • NO2- = Nitrite • Potassium Nitrate, KNO3

5. NITRATES & NITRITES • WHERE DO THEY COME FROM? • SEWAGE • FERTILIZERS • FEEDLOTS • GEOLOGICAL

6. NITRATES & NITRITES • WHAT DOES Nitrate DO? • Non-Carcinogenic • (+) essential nutrient for many photo- synthetic processes • Acute - Methaemoglobinaemia in bottle-fed infants “ blue baby syndrome” • Chronic - diuresis, increased starchy deposits, hemorrhaging of the spleen. • (-)Nitrate converts to Nitrite in the body

7. NITRATES & NITRITES • How to SAMPLE for NITRATE only • Container: PLASTIC or GLASS • Minimum Sample size: (100 mL) • Preservation: Analyze as soon as possible or refrigerate • Maximum storage time: 48 hours or 28 days if chlorinated

8. NITRATES & NITRITES • How to SAMPLE for NITRATE & NITRITES only • Container: PLASTIC (polyethylene, etc.) or GLASS • Minimum Sample size: (200 mL) • Preservation: H2SO4 acid to pH <2, refrigerate • Maximum storage time: 28 days

9. NITRATES & NITRITES • INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS: • Units of Sample results = mg/L nitrate as N = mg/L nitrite as N • MCL for Nitrate = 10 mg/L • MCL for Nitrite = 1.0 mg/L (40 CFR Part 141)

10. NITRATES & NITRITES • FOLLOW- UP MONITORING for MCL EXCEEDANCES…. • Confirmation sample within 24 hours of being notified. • If samples cannot be collected, notify public and the system is allowed a maximum of two weeks to collect confirmation sample.

11. RADIUM/ URANIUM/ RADON • WHERE DOES IT COME FROM? • Natural Sources, Erosion of natural deposits • Human Activities

12. RADIUM/ URANIUM/ RADON • WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE? • All are ELEMENTS • Radon : Rn Atomic #: 86 • Radium : Ra Atomic #: 88 • Uranium: U Atomic #: 92

13. RADIUM, Ra RADON, Rn

14. URANIUM, U • Uraninite, UO2 (Pitchblende on right)

15. RADIUM/ URANIUM/ RADON • WHAT DO THEY DO ? • Chronic Exposure • Carcinogenic • increased risk of cancer

16. RADIUM/ URANIUM/ RADON • How to SAMPLE • Container: PLASTIC or GLASS • Minimum Sample size: (500 mL to 18 L) • Type of Sample: Grab or 4 quarter composite • Preservation: acidify to pH <2 • Maximum storage time: up to 1-year

17. RADIUM/ URANIUM/ RADON • INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS: • Units of Sample results = pCi/L “picocuries per Liter” • Action Level for gross alpha = 5 pCi/L • >5 pCi/L will trigger testing for Ra-226 • if Ra-226 > 3 pCi/L, must test for Rd-228 • MCL for combined Ra 226-228 = 5 pCi/L. • MCL for gross alpha = 15.0 pCi/L • MCL for Radon, Rn - to be released 8/99.

18. IRON & MANGANESE • WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE? • Fe, Iron Mn, Manganese

19. IRON & MANGANESE • WHAT DO THEY DO? • Secondary contaminants - for aesthetic value (40 CFR Part 143) • (+) Fe essential nutrient in human nutrition DW NOT considered a primary source. • Fe > .3 mg/L, Mn > .15 mg/L - stains laundry and plumbing fixtures, bad taste. • (-) can cause deposits in pipes

20. IRON & MANGANESE • How to SAMPLE • Container: PLASTIC (polyethylene, etc.) or GLASS • Minimum Sample size: (50 mL) can use same container for both analyses. • Type of Sample: Grab • Preservation: acidify to pH <2 with nitric acid (HNO3) • Maximum storage time: 6 months

21. IRON & MANAGANESE • INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS: • Units of Sample results Mn = mg/L Fe = mg/L • Secondary Standard Mn = 0.05 mg/L Fe = 0.3 mg/L

22. SULFATE • WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE? • Gypsum, CaSO4-2(H2O) Pyrite, FeS2 • SO42- • Naturally Occurring

23. SULFATE • Secondary Standard Sulfate =250 mg/L • WHAT DOES IT DO? • Taste and Odor problems • possible diarrhea health effects

24. SULFATE • How to SAMPLE • Container: PLASTIC or GLASS • Minimum Sample size: (50 mL) • Type of Sample: Grab • Preservation: refrigerate • Maximum storage time: 28 days

25. FLUORIDE • WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE? • Fluorite, CaF2 • F- • Naturally Occurring

26. FLUORIDE • Secondary Standard = 2.0 mg/L • What does it do? • Small amounts, help reduce tooth cavities. • In children whose teeth are forming, high F- exposure can cause dental fluorosis with visible changes in the teeth. • In adults, high fluoride over a long time can lead to skeletal fluorosis with denser bones, joint pain, and a limited joint movement.

27. FLUORIDE • How to SAMPLE • Container: PLASTIC • Minimum Sample size: (50 mL) • Type of Sample: Grab • Preservation: none required • Maximum storage time: 28 days

28. TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS,TDS • Dissolved solids come from rock dissolved by water. • Secondary Standard = 500 mg/L

29. TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS,TDS • How to SAMPLE • Container: PLASTIC or GLASS • Minimum Sample size: (200 mL recc.) • Preservation: refrigerate • Maximum storage time: 7 days (24 hour analysis preferred)