chemical contaminants

Here is a list of some of the chemicals that can be found in some sources of drinking water and the negative effects they can have on your family’s health.

CHEMICALS	POSSIBLE HEALTH EFFECTS
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