Table 4 Contaminants in domestic wells exceeding health standards and removal methods.
From: A critical review of point-of-use drinking water treatment in the United States
Contaminant type | Contaminant | Source | Potential health effects | Removal method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Radionuclide | Radon184 | Breakdown of uranium | Lung cancer | Granular activated carbon (GAC) |
Trace element | Strontium184 | Naturally released from bedrock | Bone disease | Ion exchange (IEX) resin and lime softening |
|  | Lead185 | Corrosion of plumbing materials | Damage to children’s nervous system under low levels of exposure | Reverse osmosis (RO) or carbon filter |
| Â | Arsenic184 | Natural deposits and agricultural pollution | Carcinogenic to humans | RO |
| Â | Manganese184 | Natural deposits | Neurological disorder | Ion exchanger and RO |
| Â | Uranium184 | Natural deposits | Kidney toxicity and increased risk of cancer | RO |
| Â | Boron184 | Industrial wastes and fertilizer pollution | Skin inflammation and some gastrointestinal effects | Boron-specific IEX resin and RO |
Major ions | Fluoride184 | Released from rock to water | Mottled teeth, bone disease | RO |
Organic compounds | Dieldrin186 | Insecticide pollution | Headaches, dizziness, and uncontrollable muscle movements | Activated carbon |
| Â | Diazinon187 | Insecticide pollution | Nervous system health effects, such as stomach pain and vomiting | NH4Cl-induced activated carbon |
| Â | Atrazine188 | Herbicide pollution | Cardiovascular system problems and reproductive problems | GAC |
| Â | Alachlor189 | Herbicide pollution | Eye, liver, kidney problems and increased risk of cancer | GAC |
Bacteria | E.coli184 | Feces from infected humans or animals | Diarrhea, urinary tract infections, respiratory illness | UV disinfection |
Nutrient | Nitrate184 | Fertilizer pollution | Hematological damage | Ion exchanger and RO |
