Topic: Contaminants
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Uranium Fact Sheet
Uranium is a common naturally occurring and radioactive substance. It is a normal part of rocks, soil, air and water. Uranium occurs in nature in the form of minerals, but never as a metal. Uranium enters water by leaching from soil and rocks, or in releases from processing plants. Uranium has demonstrated toxic effects on human…
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Silver Fact Sheet
Biologically, silver is a nonessential, non-beneficial element to humans. There are no scientific studies to show adverse health due to its presence in drinking water from natural sources. However, because of its bactericidal abilities, silver is used as a water bacteriostat in carbon containing water filters. The silver is deposited onto the carbon granules to…
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Mercury Fact Sheet
Mercury is a naturally occurring metal that has several forms. The metallic mercury is a shiny, silver-white, odorless liquid. If heated, it is a colorless, odorless gas. Mercury combines with other elements to form inorganic mercury compounds. Mercury also combines with carbon to make organic mercury compounds. The most common form of organic mercury, methyl…
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Cadmium Fact Sheet
Cadmium occurs naturally in zinc, in lead and copper ores, in coal and other fossil fuels, in shales and is released during volcanic action. These deposits can serve as sources to ground and surface waters, especially when in contact with low total dissolved solids (TDS) and acidic waters. Major industrial releases of cadmium are due…
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Copper Fact Sheet
Copper is a metallic element that is essential to human health. Too little is unhealthy and too much can lead to copper poisoning. The body cannot synthesize copper so the human diet must supply regular amounts for absorption. The daily requirement is about 2 mg of copper intake per day to maintain a balance of…