US EPA

6902279 

Journal Article 

Chemical Aspects of Water Quality and Health 

Packham, RF 

1990 

Yes 

Journal of the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management
ISSN: 0951-7359 

4 

5 

484-488 

English 

WOS:A1990EH31800011 

During the last two decades there has been an information explosion on the nature of trace chemical contaminants in drinking water. Some of the substances found at microgram/liter levels and below are potentially harmful to health, although firm evidence of adverse effects at these levels is lacking. As a precautionary measure, limits have been and are being set for an increasing number of chemicals in drinking water. Those set for trace organic compounds are normally based on toxicological data, with substantial safety factors to make allowance for uncertainties. This contrasts with the more marginal safety factors involved in some older limits such as that for lead. There is a need for a proper perspective on the minute risks associated with chemical contaminants, such as aluminum, asbestos, disinfection by-products, water hardness, lead, nitrate and pesticides, in comparison with the major bacteriological hazards associated with inadequate disinfection. (Author's abstract) 

Water Resources Abstracts; Drinking water; Public health; Trace elements; Water quality; Water quality standards; Aluminum; Asbestos; Fluorides; Nitrates; Organic compounds; Pesticides; Pollutants; SW 3060:Water treatment and distribution; SW 3030:Effects of pollution