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Featured Water Test - Waterborne Pathogenic Panel

The most common water quality problems are related to the presence of bacteria, total coliform, iron, manganese, elevated hardness, corrosive water, nitrates, elevated copper or lead, discolored water, odor, and regionally elevated levels of select metals.  Depending on the region and depth of the well or water source, the salinity, chloride, sodium, sulfate, and fluoride content of the water could be a concern.   In rare cases, the problem is associated with cysts, oocysts, or viruses and depending on the surrounding land-use and land-use activities petrochemicals, solvents, surfactants, and industrial chemicals may be an issue.   The most common diseases associated with water quality issues are typically related to diarrhea, dysentery, travelers disease, and other gastrointestinal issues, but there are approximately 80 suspected or known autoimmune disorders that may be related to water quality issues.

Autoimmune diseases are actually very common and directly impact over 23 million Americans. An Autoimmune disease is when the bodies responds to a substance or agent in a way that creates a response where the body actually attacks itself and healthy cells by mistake. At this time, it is not known what causes the over-reaction and in most cases it is likely a combination of factors and not simply just one element or contaminate.

A partial listing of potential agents of concern are as follows:

- Aluminum
- Arsenic
- Bacterial and Viral Infections
- Boron
- Cadmium
- Chromium
- Disinfection By-Products
- Fluoride
- Herbicides and Pesticides
- Iron
- Manganese
- Nickel
- Synthetic Organic Compounds
- Trichloroethylene
- Volatile Organic Compounds

In addition, the lack of particular elements, dehydration, or over-hydration may trigger an autoimmune response. It has been suggested that magnesium deficiency may play a role at creating this trigger.  The primary recommendation would be to be properly hydrated, get your water tested, install water treatment systems (if needed), and seek advice from medical and other experts.   This is one reason we recommend the use of the information water testing program for city water or well water to provide a cost effective method to check the vulnerability of your water source, plus the use of self-monitoring equipment.  In many cases, you may need to conduct air quality or other testing and we would recommend conducting a Community Neighborhood Hazard Inventory Report generated for your residence.   Comprehensive Whole-House Water Treatment Systems the final barrier.   It may be wise to have a Waterborne Pathogen Panel (7 organisms)completed.

Abbreviations: AGI = acute gastrointestinal illness; ARI = acute respiratory illness; Hep = Hepatitis; Other = undefined, illnesses, conditions, or symptoms or symptoms that cannot be categorized as gastrointestinal, respiratory, ear-related, eye-related, skin-related, neurological, hepatitis or caused by leptospirosis.

*Non-recreational waterborne disease outbreaks combines two previously-reported categories, ‘Water Not Intended for Drinking’ and ‘Water of Unknown Intent.’ It includes outbreaks not associated with public or private drinking water systems, as well as outbreaks for which the intended use of the water is not known. It does not include outbreaks associated with recreational water venues (e.g., swimming pools), which are reported separately.

¶ Value was set to missing in reports where zero hospitalizations were reported and the number of people for whom information was available was also zero.

** Value was set to missing in reports where zero deaths were reported and the number of people for whom information was available was also zero.

*** Etiology unidentified: contamination of water with sodium hydroxide suspected based upon incubation period, symptoms, outbreak investigation and laboratory findings.

¶¶¶¶ Multiple water sources within the facility were identified as possible exposures in this outbreak.

Additional References- Autoimmune Disorders and Your Families Health

Training Section

Stream Restoration Training - 6 classes
Online Training - Personal Enrichment
Training Professionals
Drinking Water Treatment (Engineers)
Groundwater Basics
Autoimmune Reading Recommendation (cookbook)
 

Residential Reverse Osmosis System
and Commercial Systems (Seawater)


Commercial Systems, plus Seawater Systems
other Treatment Systems

TRICHLOROETHANE In Drinking Water

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).

Trichloroethane is an organic liquid with a chloroform-like odor. It is only used to make vinylidene chloride or 1,1-Dichloroethene which is in turn used to make synthetic fibers and plastic wraps such as the saran wrap.  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 1,1,2-TCE has been set at 3 parts per billion (ppb) because EPA believes this level of protection would not cause any of the potential health problems described below.  The MCL has been set at 5 ppb 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 1,1,2-TCE to potentially cause the following health effects when people are exposed to it at levels above the MCL for relatively short periods of time: irritation of gastrointestinal tract; red or hemorrhaged lungs; pale liver  Long-term: 1,1,2-TCE has the potential to cause the following effects from a lifetime exposure at levels above the MCL: damage to liver and kidneys; cancer.

How much 1,1,2-TCE is produced and released to the environment?

An estimated 124 million lbs. of 1,1,2-TCE was produced in the US during 1974, based on the manufacture of vinylidene chloride. It evaporates during its use in the manufacture of vinylidene chloride and as a solvent. It is also released in wastewater from these uses, and in leachates and volatile emissions from landfills. The EPA estimates the gross annual discharge of 1,1,2-TCE waste in the US to be 4 million lbs. From 1987 to 1993, according to EPA's Toxic Chemical Release Inventory, 1,1,2-TCE releases to land and water totaled over 30,000 lbs., of which about 98 percent was to water. These releases were primarily from alkali and chlorine industries. The largest releases occurred in Louisiana and Texas.

What happens to 1,1,2-TCE when it is released to the environment?

When released into water, 1,1,2-TCE should primarily evaporate. In soils, it should partially evaporate and partially leach into the groundwater. Its break down by microbes, if it occurs, is very slow. 1,1,2-TCE shows little tendency to accumulate in aquatic life.

How will 1,1,2-TCE be Detected in and Removed from My Drinking Water?

The regulation for 1,1,2-TCE became effective in 1994. Between 1993 and 1995, EPA required your water supplier to collect water samples every 3 months for one year and analyze them to find out if 1,1,2-TCE is present above 0.5 ppb. 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 1,1,2-TCE so that it is consistently below that level. The following treatment methods have been approved by EPA for removing 1,1,2-TCE: Granular activated charcoal in combination with Packed Tower Aeration.  

How will I know if 1,1,2-TCE is in my drinking water?

If the levels of 1,1,2-TCE exceed the MCL, 5 ppb, 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.

Drinking Water Standards:  Get Your Water Tested ! (NTL Partner Site)

Mclg: 3 ppb
Mcl: 5 ppb

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