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Contaminants in Well Water
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Wondering what microorganisms
(germs) and chemicals can be found in your well water, and what they can
do to your health? Here is a list of some of them. Please see the “Well
Water Testing FAQs” sheet for details on how to test your well water.
| Microorganisms |
Health
Effects* |
| |
*
Healthy individuals may have mild or no symptoms from these
infections. They will usually recover without long-term health
problems. However, persons with weakened immune systems may
have more severe or life-threatening illnesses. |
| Bacteria
|
| Campylobacter |
· Diarrhea
(sometimes bloody), cramping, abdominal pain, and fever |
| Escherichia
coli (E. coli) O157:H7 |
· Bloody
or non-bloody diarrhea, stomach cramps; little or no fever
· Can
cause hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and kidney failure
in young children or the elderly |
| Salmonella |
· Diarrhea,
typhoid fever, stomach cramps
· Infection
can spread from intestines to blood and other body sites,
causing serious illness |
| Shigella |
· Watery
or bloody diarrhea, fever, upset stomach
· Vomiting
and stomach cramping may also occur |
| Viruses
|
| Enterovirus |
· Usually
causes mild upper respiratory, “flu-like” symptoms with fever
and muscle pains, or a rash
· Meningitis
is less common, and illnesses that affect the heart and brain
may occur, but are very rare |
| Hepatitis
A |
· Jaundice
(yellowing of eyes and skin), dark urine, tiredness, loss
of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fever, stomach ache
· Most
infected adults will show symptoms while children often do
not have symptoms (but could still pass the virus to others) |
| Norovirus
(Norwalk) |
· Upset
stomach, cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea
· Headache
and low-grade fever may also occur |
| Rotavirus |
· Vomiting,
watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, fever |
| Protozoa
|
| Cryptosporidium |
· Diarrhea,
loose or watery stool, stomach cramps, upset stomach, and
fever
· Usually
causes mild illness, but can be serious or fatal for people
with weakened immune systems |
| Giardia |
· Diarrhea,
loose or watery stool, stomach cramps
· Usually
causes mild illness, but can be serious or fatal for people
with weakened immune systems |
| Chemicals
| Health
Effects** |
| |
**
These health effects are caused by consuming large doses
of chemicals. |
| Atrazine |
· Short-term:
congestion of heart, lungs, and kidneys; low blood pressure;
muscle spasms; weight loss; damage to adrenal glands
· Long-term:
weight loss, cardiovascular damage, eye and muscle degeneration;
cancer |
| Arsenic |
· Stomach
pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, numbness in hands and feet,
partial paralysis, and blindness
· Can
also cause skin damage, circulatory system problems, and
increased risk of cancer |
| Copper |
· An
essential nutrient at very low levels
· High
level exposure causes upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea,
and stomach cramps
· Long-term
exposure at high levels can also cause liver and kidney problems |
| Lead |
· Delayed
physical and mental development in babies
· Shortened
attention span, hearing, and learning abilities of children
· Slightly
increased blood pressures in adults
· Long-term
exposure at high levels can include stroke, kidney disease,
and cancer |
| Mercury |
· Kidney
damage |
| Nitrate |
· Methemoglobinemia
– a blood disorder that causes shortness of breath and blueness
of skin, and can lead to serious illness or death
· Methmoglobinemia
mainly affects infants and pregnant women
· Long-term
effects include increased urination and bleeding of the spleen
|
| Radium |
· Increases
risk of cancer |
| Volatile
Organic Compounds (VOCs) |
· Drowsiness
and decreased responsiveness
· Skin
irritation
· Some
cause cancer after long-term exposure |
Revised Summer 2003
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