What’s in our water?

Where did it come from?

How much is “too much”?

What does it do to me?

What is in our water? • Anything that gets flushed, dumped or washed away!

There are lots of “Organic Compounds”

AcenaphtheneAcroleinAcrylonitrileBenzeneBenzidineCarbon TetrachlorideChlorinated Benzenes*Chlorinated Ethanes*Chlorinated NaphthaleneChlorinated Phenols*Chloroalkyl Ethers*Chloroform2-ChlorophenolDichlorobenzenes*Dichlorobenzidine

Dichloroethylenes*2,4-DichlorophenolDichloropropane andDichloropropenes*2,4-Dimethylphenol2,4-Dinitrophenol2,4-Dinitrotoluene*1,2-DiphenylhydrazineEthylbenzeneFluorantheneHaloethers*Halomethanes*HexachlorobutadieneHexachlorocyclopentadieneIsophoroneNaphthalene

NitrobenzeneNitrophenols*Nitrosamines*PentachlorophenolPhenolPhthalate Esters*Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)*Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons*2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)TetrachloroethylenesTolueneTrichloroethylenesVinyl Chloride

There are some “HEAVY” metals…

AntimonyArsenicBerylliumCadmiumChromiumCopperLeadMercuryNickelSeleniumSilverThalliumZincOTHERAsbestosCyanide

& some pesticides.

Aldrin/DieldrinChlordaneDDT*Endosulfan*Endrin*Heptachlor*Hexachlorocyclohexane*

Where do they come from?We use this stuff everyday…

TCE (trichloroethylene) is used by dry cleaners and in manufacturing processes ….

PCB’s (polychlorinated biphenyls) were used in electrical transformers, and manufacturing processes….

DDT is used to kill insects….

Mercury is released when certain types of coal are burned in power plants….

How much is “too much”?

• There is too much of a toxic substance when it becomes toxic! When it kills you or makes you sick.

• There is too much if it kills aquatic vegetation and life.

• There is too much if you can see it, smell it or taste it.

TCE•Allowable Amount (according to the EPA):

•5 ppb•Recently found levels/locations:

•190 ppb at a home near Joplin, MS•400 to 3,600 ppb in margarine products in the United States•12 to 16 ppb in processed meats in the United States

•Effects•Cancer; liver, kidney & reproductive effects

PCB

• Allowable Amount (according to the EPA):– 500ppt

• Recently found levels/locations:– 17ppt in the Great Lakes– 3 ppm in the blubber of seals in the Arctic– 180 ppb in the breast milk of women in NW Arctic

• Effects– Cancer, Chemical Acne, reduced birth weight,

reduced IQ & test performance

DDT• Allowable Amount (according to the EPA):

• 2 ppb

• Recently found levels/locations:• 0.2 to 4.3 ppm is the average level found in the breast

milk of women in the United States

• Effects on humans• Breast cancer, endocrine disruptor

• Effects on environment• Thinning eggshells of birds, reproductive impairment,

developmental disruptions

Mercury• Allowable Amount (according to the EPA):

• 2 ppb

• Recently found levels in the United States• Quaker Oatmeal To Go Bars: 350 ppt

Hershey's Chocolate Syrup: 257ppt • Kraft Original Barbecue Sauce: 200ppt • Nutri-Grain Strawberry Cereal Bars: 180ppt • Manwich Gold Sloppy Joe: 150ppt • Smucker's Strawberry Jelly: 100ppt • Pop-Tarts Frosted Blueberry: 100ppt • Hunt's Tomato Ketchup: 87ppt • Coca-Cola Classic: 62ppt • Yoplait Strawberry Yogurt: 60ppt • Berry Minute Maid Punch: 40ppt • Yoo-hoo Chocolate Drink: 30ppt • Nesquik Chocolate Milk: 30ppt

• Effects• Impaired development/growth• Central Nervous System disorders