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Consumer Factsheet on: BARIUM
List of
Contaminants
As part of the Drinking Water and Health pages, this fact
sheet is part of a larger publication: National Primary Drinking Water
Regulations
This is a factsheet about a chemical that may be found in some public or
private drinking water supplies. It may cause health problems if found in
amounts greater than the health standard set by the United States Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA).
What is Barium and how is it used?
Barium is a lustrous, machinable metal which exists in nature only in ores
containing mixtures of elements. It is used in making a wide variety of
electronic components, in metal alloys, bleaches, dyes, fireworks, ceramics and
glass. In particular, it is used in well drilling operations where it is
directly released into the ground.
Why is Barium being regulated?
In 1974, Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act. This law requires EPA
to determine safe levels of chemicals in drinking water which do or may cause
health problems. These non-enforceable levels, based solely on possible health
risks and exposure, are called Maximum Contaminant Level Goals.
The MCLG for barium has been set at 2 parts per million (ppm) because EPA
believes this level of protection would not cause any of the potential health
problems described below.
Based on this MCLG, EPA has set an enforceable standard called a Maximum
Contaminant Level (MCL). MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as possible,
considering the ability of public water systems to detect and remove
contaminants using suitable treatment technologies.
The MCL has also been set at 2 ppm because EPA believes, given present
technology and resources, this is the lowest level to which water systems can
reasonably be required to remove this contaminant should it occur in drinking
water.
These drinking water standards and the regulations for ensuring these
standards are met, are called National Primary Drinking Water Regulations. All
public water supplies must abide by these regulations.
What are the health effects?
Short-term: EPA has found barium to potentially cause the following health
effects when people are exposed to it at levels above the MCL for relatively
short periods of time: gastrointestinal disturbances and muscular weakness.
Long-term: Barium has the potential to cause the following effects from a
lifetime exposure at levels above the MCL: high blood pressure.
How much Barium is produced and released to the environment?
The most common ores are found in AK, AR, CA, GA, KY, MO, NV, and TN. Barite
was produced at 38 mines in these states in 1973, with Nevada supplying 50% of
the tonnage. Barium is released to water and soil in the discharge and disposal
of drilling wastes, from the smelting of copper, and the manufacture of motor
vehicle parts and accessories.
From 1987 to 1993, according to the Toxics Release Inventory barium compound
releases to land and water totaled over 57 million lbs. These releases were
primarily from copper smelting industries. The largest releases occurred in
Arizona and Utah. The largest direct releases to water occurred in Texas.
What happens to Barium when it is released to the environment?
In water, the more toxic soluble barium salts are likely to be converted to
insoluble salts which precipitate. Barium does not bind to most soils and may
migrate to ground water. It has a low tendency to accumulate in aquatic
life.
How will Barium be detected in and removed from my drinking water?
The regulation for barium became effective in 1992. Between 1993 and 1995,
EPA required your water supplier to collect water samples once and analyze them
to find out if barium is present above 2 ppm. If it is present above this
level, the system must continue to monitor this contaminant.
If contaminant levels are found to be consistently above the MCL, your water
supplier must take steps to reduce the amount of barium so that it is
consistently below that level. The following treatment methods have been
approved by EPA for removing barium: Ion Exchange, Reverse Osmosis, Lime
Softening, Electrodialysis.
How will I know if Barium is in my drinking water?
If the levels of barium exceed the MCL, the system must notify the public
via newspapers, radio, TV and other means. Additional actions, such as
providing alternative drinking water supplies, may be required to prevent
serious risks to public health.
This is a factsheet about a chemical that may be found in some public or
private drinking water supplies. It may cause health problems if found in
amounts greater than the health standard set by the United States Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA).
Drinking Water Standards:
MCLG: 2 ppm
MCL: 2 ppm
Barium Releases to Water and Land: 1987 to 1993 (in pounds)
|
Water |
Land |
TOTALS |
928,448 |
57,063,031 |
Top Ten States * |
AZ |
0 |
14,595,520
|
UT |
1,500 |
13,423,164
|
VA |
0 |
9,218,901
|
NM |
0 |
5,233,790
|
IL |
34,000 |
3,977,817
|
TN |
0 |
2,586,906
|
AL |
31,041 |
1,638,988
|
PA |
15,582 |
1,216,362
|
TX |
167,864 |
599,565
|
NJ |
20,905 |
705,666
|
Major Industries* |
Copper smelting |
1,500 |
31,958,310
|
Car parts, accessories |
1,743 |
9,456,667
|
Industrial organics |
132,511 |
4,106,827
|
Inorganic pigments |
5,261 |
3,672,451
|
Gray, ductile iron |
0 |
1,556,681
|
Steelworks, furnaces |
256,582 |
679,999
|
Electrometallurgy |
1,599 |
633,876
|
Paper mills |
64,770 |
527,330
|
* Water/Land totals only include facilities with releases greater than a
certain amount - usually 1000 to 10,000 lbs.
Learn more about your drinking water!
EPA strongly encourages people to learn more about their drinking water, and
to support local efforts to protect and upgrade the supply of safe drinking
water. Your water bill or telephone books government listings are a good
starting point.
Your local water supplier can give you a list of the chemicals they test for
in your water, as well as how your water is treated.
Your state Department of Health/Environment is also a valuable source of
information.
For help in locating these agencies or for information on drinking water in
general, call: EPAs Safe Drinking Water Hotline: (800) 426-4791.
For additional information on the uses and releases of chemicals in your
state, contact the: Community Right-to-Know Hotline: (800) 424-9346.
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