Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
TABLE 26.1
Brief List of Pollutants, Their Origins, Health Effects, and Permissible Limits in Drinking Water,
According to US EPA
Permissible
Limit (mg/L)
Health Effects/Impact on
Environment
S. No.
Pollutant
Source
1
Pesticides and
insecticides
Pesticides used in agricultural
activities, efluents, home
use, cattle, and gardens
0.003 (atrazine),
0.04 (carbofuran),
0.0002 (lindane)
Problems with cardiovascular
system/reproductive/blood,
nervous system/liver and
kidney
2
Halogenated
hydrocarbons
Discharge from drug,
chemical plants, and other
industrial activities
0.005 (CCl
4
,
C
6
H
5
CH
2
Cl,
CH
2
Cl
2
)
Liver problems and increased
risk of cancer
3
Mercury
Erosion of natural deposits,
discharge from reineries
and factories, runoff from
landills and croplands
0.002
Kidney damage, Minamata
disease, and respiratory
failure
4
Lead
Corrosion of household
plumbing systems and
erosion of natural deposits
0.015
Infants and children: delays
in physical or mental
development; children could
show slight deicits in
attention span and learning
abilities
Adults: kidney problems and
high blood pressure
5
Cadmium
Corrosion of galvanized
pipes, erosion of natural
deposits, discharge from
metal reineries, runoff from
waste batteries and paints
0.005
Kidney damage
6
Chromium
Discharge from steel and
pulp mills; erosion of
natural deposits
0.1
Allergic dermatitis
7
Copper
Corrosion of household
plumbing systems and
erosion of natural deposits
1.3
Short-term exposure:
gastrointestinal distress
Long-term exposure: liver or
kidney damage
8
Fluoride
Water additive that promotes
strong teeth, erosion of
natural deposits, discharge
from fertilizer, and
aluminum factories
4
Bone disease (pain and
tenderness of the bones);
children may get mottled
teeth
9
Arsenic
Geological origin and
electronics production
wastes
0.01
High blood pressure,
glucosuria,
hyperpigmentation,
keratoses, and cancer
10
Cyanide
Discharge from steel/metal,
plastic, and fertilizer
factories
0.2
Nerve damage or thyroid
problems
11
Nitrate
Runoff from fertilizer use,
leaking from septic tanks,
sewage, and erosion of
natural deposits
10
Infants (below the age of 6
months): become seriously
ill and, if untreated, may die;
symptoms include shortness
of breath and blue baby
syndrome
Source:
Compiled from multiple sources on the World Wide Web.
