Health effects of common drinking water standardsHealth effects of common drinking water standards

Waterworks OperationsWQT 111

Lecture 3

Waterworks OperationsWQT 111

Lecture 3

Inorganic ChemicalsInorganic Chemicals

1. Review Arsenic, Nitrate and Nitrite, Lead, Copper

2. Review Secondary MCLS.

3. Fluoride

4. Iron and Manganese.

1. Review Arsenic, Nitrate and Nitrite, Lead, Copper

2. Review Secondary MCLS.

3. Fluoride

4. Iron and Manganese.

Inorganic ArsenicArsenic is a semi-metal element in the periodic table.

Odorless and tasteless.Natural deposits Agricultural (pesticide= apple orchards) and industrial (wood preservative)

Trivalent (As3+)• Anaerobic reduced form • arsenic trioxide, sodium arsenite• arsenic trichloride

Pentavalent (As5+) • Aerobic oxidized form• arsenic pentoxide, arsenic acid, • arsenates (lead arsenate)

Arsenic is a semi-metal element in the periodic table. Odorless and tasteless.Natural deposits Agricultural (pesticide= apple orchards) and industrial (wood preservative)

Trivalent (As3+)• Anaerobic reduced form • arsenic trioxide, sodium arsenite• arsenic trichloride

Pentavalent (As5+) • Aerobic oxidized form• arsenic pentoxide, arsenic acid, • arsenates (lead arsenate)

MCL= .010 mg/LInorganic arsenic (arsenic trioxide) 70 to 180

mg can be fatal

Constriction of the throat with difficulty in swallowing

Sever intestinal pain

Vomiting, diarrhea

Muscle cramps

Severe thirst

Coma and death

MCL= .010 mg/LInorganic arsenic (arsenic trioxide) 70 to 180

mg can be fatal

Constriction of the throat with difficulty in swallowing

Sever intestinal pain

Vomiting, diarrhea

Muscle cramps

Severe thirst

Coma and death

Acute - ToxicityAcute - Toxicity

“A man sprays commercial weed killer containing an arsenic compound on the lawn using a garden hose attachment. After finishing, he disconnects the applicator. Since it is a hot day, he takes a drink of water from the hose. A short time later, he dies from arsenic poisoning.”

“A man sprays commercial weed killer containing an arsenic compound on the lawn using a garden hose attachment. After finishing, he disconnects the applicator. Since it is a hot day, he takes a drink of water from the hose. A short time later, he dies from arsenic poisoning.”

Arsenic backflowArsenic backflow

Studies of Health Effects of Chronic Arsenic ExposureStudies of Health Effects of Chronic Arsenic Exposure

Linked to:

-drinking water sources.

-arsenic in artesian wells.

Linked to:

-drinking water sources.

-arsenic in artesian wells.

Black-Foot Disease (BFD).-Unique to SW TaiwanBlack-Foot Disease (BFD).-Unique to SW Taiwan

Effects of Arsenic ExposureEffects of Arsenic Exposure

Hyperkeratosis of the hands

Hyperkeratosis of the hands

Skin Cancers on hands, arm and chest

Skin Cancers on hands, arm and chest

US Arsenic MapUS Arsenic Map

Bangladesh Arsenic MapBangladesh Arsenic Map

40% of 50,000 wells sampled were contaminated with As!-85 MILLION PEOPLE AT RISK!

40% of 50,000 wells sampled were contaminated with As!-85 MILLION PEOPLE AT RISK!

Arsenic in Bangladesh

WHO Arsenic The Largest Mass Poisoning in History

Arsenic in Bangladesh

Arsenic RemovalArsenic Removal

Oxidation (chlorine or permanganate) then coagulation with a alum or ferric chloride

Ion exchange for arsenate

Membrane methods reverse osmosis/nano filtration

Oxidation (chlorine or permanganate) then coagulation with a alum or ferric chloride

Ion exchange for arsenate

Membrane methods reverse osmosis/nano filtration

In water treatment, potassium permanganate is used

primarily as:

In water treatment, potassium permanganate is used

primarily as:

An o

xidan

t

A d

isin

fect

ant

A tr

acin

g Age

nt

A c

orros

ion in

hibito

r

A c

oagul

ant

58%

8%

33%

0%0%

1. An oxidant

2. A disinfectant

3. A tracing Agent

4. A corrosion inhibitor

5. A coagulant

1. An oxidant

2. A disinfectant

3. A tracing Agent

4. A corrosion inhibitor

5. A coagulant

The MCl for Arsenic as of 1/23/06 is?

The MCl for Arsenic as of 1/23/06 is?

50

ug/L

1 m

g/L

0.0

1 m

g/L

0.0

5 m

g/L

0%

14%

86%

0%

1. 50 ug/L

2. 1 mg/L

3. 0.01 mg/L

4. 0.05 mg/L

1. 50 ug/L

2. 1 mg/L

3. 0.01 mg/L

4. 0.05 mg/L

NitriteNitrite1.0 mg/L is the MCL

Health Effect

Serious illness and sometimes death

Shortness of breath and blue-baby syndrome

Source

Runoff from fertilizer use

Leaching from septic tanks, sewage

Erosion of natural deposits

1.0 mg/L is the MCL

Health Effect

Serious illness and sometimes death

Shortness of breath and blue-baby syndrome

Source

Runoff from fertilizer use

Leaching from septic tanks, sewage

Erosion of natural deposits

NitrateNitrate10.0 mg/L is the MCLHealth Effectshortness of breath and blue-baby syndrome

Babies' stomachs are less acid than normal allowing bacteria in the stomach to convert nitrate (NO3) into nitrate (NO2). Nitrite gets into the blood system and prevents the hemoglobin in red blood cells from absorbing oxygen

SourceRunoff from fertilizer use

Leaching from septic tanks, sewage

Erosion of natural deposits

10.0 mg/L is the MCLHealth Effectshortness of breath and blue-baby syndrome

Babies' stomachs are less acid than normal allowing bacteria in the stomach to convert nitrate (NO3) into nitrate (NO2). Nitrite gets into the blood system and prevents the hemoglobin in red blood cells from absorbing oxygen

SourceRunoff from fertilizer use

Leaching from septic tanks, sewage

Erosion of natural deposits

Methemoglobinemia Methemoglobinemia

Methemoglobinemia is treated with supplemental oxygen and methylene blue 1% solution administered intravenously slowly over five minutes followed by IV flush with normal saline

Methemoglobinemia is treated with supplemental oxygen and methylene blue 1% solution administered intravenously slowly over five minutes followed by IV flush with normal saline

Methemoglobinemia is a blood disorder in which the body cannot recycle hemoglobin after it is damaged. Methemoglobinemia is a blood disorder in which the body cannot recycle hemoglobin after it is damaged.

Nitrite and NitrateNitrite and Nitrate

The MCL for nitrate as N at the point of withdrawal is:

The MCL for nitrate as N at the point of withdrawal is:

1. 1

mg/l

2. 1

0 m

g/l

3. 3

0 m

g/l

4. 4

5 m

g/l

7%0%0%

93%

1. 1 mg/l

2. 10 mg/l

3. 30 mg/l

4. 45 mg/l

1. 1 mg/l

2. 10 mg/l

3. 30 mg/l

4. 45 mg/l

An illness known as methemoglobinemia (blue baby

syndrome) is attributed to:

An illness known as methemoglobinemia (blue baby

syndrome) is attributed to:

1. excessive hardness in water

2. high iodine content

3. too much iron in the water

4. high nitrate content

1. excessive hardness in water

2. high iodine content

3. too much iron in the water

4. high nitrate content 1

. exc

essi

ve h

ardne

ss ..

2. h

igh io

dine

con

tent

3. t

oo m

uch ir

on in t.

.

4. h

igh n

itrat

e co

ntent

0%

100%

0%0%

LeadLead0.015 mg/L is the MCL

Health EffectDelays in physical or mental development

Children could show slight deficits in attention span and learning abilities

SourceCorrosion of household plumbing systems

Erosion of natural deposits

Household dust containing lead from lead-based paint

0.015 mg/L is the MCL

Health EffectDelays in physical or mental development

Children could show slight deficits in attention span and learning abilities

SourceCorrosion of household plumbing systems

Erosion of natural deposits

Household dust containing lead from lead-based paint

Which of the following are potential problems associated

with lead exposure in children?

Which of the following are potential problems associated

with lead exposure in children?

Bra

in d

amag

e a.

..

Beh

avio

r and l.

..

Ach

es o

r pai

ns...

All

of the

abo...

0%

88%

0%

13%

1. Brain damage and lower intelligence

2. Behavior and learning problems

3. Aches or pains in stomach

4. All of the above

1. Brain damage and lower intelligence

2. Behavior and learning problems

3. Aches or pains in stomach

4. All of the above

A component of the 1986 SDWA amendments was to “GET THE

LEAD OUT”?

A component of the 1986 SDWA amendments was to “GET THE

LEAD OUT”?

Tru

e

Fal

se

7%

93%

1. True

2. False

1. True

2. False

According to the Lead and Copper Rule, the action for the 90th

percentile lead level is:

According to the Lead and Copper Rule, the action for the 90th

percentile lead level is:

1. 0

.005

mg/l

2. 0

.015

mg/l

3. 0

.030

mg/l

4. 0

.050

mg/l

9% 9%0%

82%

1. 0.005 mg/l

2. 0.015 mg/l

3. 0.030 mg/l

4. 0.050 mg/l

1. 0.005 mg/l

2. 0.015 mg/l

3. 0.030 mg/l

4. 0.050 mg/l

Lead in drinking water can lead to ? Lead in drinking water can lead to ?

1. s

tom

ach a

nd inte

st...

2. r

educt

ion o

f white

...

3. m

etha

mog

lobin

ema

4. i

mpai

red m

enta

l fu.

..

0%

92%

8%0%

1. stomach and intestinal disorders

2. reduction of white blood count

3. methamoglobinema

4. impaired mental functioning in children

1. stomach and intestinal disorders

2. reduction of white blood count

3. methamoglobinema

4. impaired mental functioning in children

CopperCopper1.3 mg/L is the MCL

Health EffectCopper is an essential nutrient, required by the body in very small amounts.

Short periods of exposure can cause gastrointestinal disturbance, including nausea and vomiting.

Long periods of exposure liver or kidney damage

SourceCorrosion of copper plumbing

Erosion of natural deposits

Copper mining and smelting operations

1.3 mg/L is the MCL

Health EffectCopper is an essential nutrient, required by the body in very small amounts.

Short periods of exposure can cause gastrointestinal disturbance, including nausea and vomiting.

Long periods of exposure liver or kidney damage

SourceCorrosion of copper plumbing

Erosion of natural deposits

Copper mining and smelting operations

Raising the pH of post treated water is one way of controlling

corrosion of copper in plumbing?

Raising the pH of post treated water is one way of controlling

corrosion of copper in plumbing?

Tru

e

Fal

se

8%

92%

1. True

2. False

1. True

2. False

ChromiumChromium0.1 mg/L is the MCL

Health EffectChromium (Cr III) is an essential nutrient, required by the body in very

small amounts. (CrVI- toxic carcinogen)

Short periods of exposure can cause skin irritation or ulceration.

Long periods of exposure damage to liver, kidney circulatory and nerve tissues; skin irritation.

SourceChromium is a metal found in natural deposits as ores

Stainless steel; wood preservative

0.1 mg/L is the MCL

Health EffectChromium (Cr III) is an essential nutrient, required by the body in very

small amounts. (CrVI- toxic carcinogen)

Short periods of exposure can cause skin irritation or ulceration.

Long periods of exposure damage to liver, kidney circulatory and nerve tissues; skin irritation.

SourceChromium is a metal found in natural deposits as ores

Stainless steel; wood preservative

Secondary MCLsSecondary MCLs

1. National Secondary Drinking Water Regulations that set non-mandatory water quality standards for 15 contaminants

2. Guidelines to assist public water systems

3. SMCL, and public water systems only need test for them on a voluntary basis

1. National Secondary Drinking Water Regulations that set non-mandatory water quality standards for 15 contaminants

2. Guidelines to assist public water systems

3. SMCL, and public water systems only need test for them on a voluntary basis

Secondary MCLsProblems

Secondary MCLsProblems

1. Aesthetic effects -- undesirable tastes or odors

2. Cosmetic effects -- effects which do not damage the body but are still undesirable

3. Technical effects -- damage to water equipment or reduced effectiveness of treatment for other contaminants.

1. Aesthetic effects -- undesirable tastes or odors

2. Cosmetic effects -- effects which do not damage the body but are still undesirable

3. Technical effects -- damage to water equipment or reduced effectiveness of treatment for other contaminants.

Aesthetic EffectsSecondary MCLsAesthetic EffectsSecondary MCLs1. Odor and Taste

-Algae, Organics, Chloride, Copper,  Foaming Agents, Iron, Manganese pH, Sulfate, Total Dissolved Solids, Zinc.

2. Color may be indicative of dissolved organic material, inadequate treatment, high disinfectant demand and the potential for the production of excess amounts of disinfectant by-products.

-Aluminum, Color, Copper, Iron, Manganese, Total Dissolved Solids.

3. Foaming is usually caused by detergents and similar substances when water has been agitated or aerated as in many faucets

1. Odor and Taste-Algae, Organics, Chloride, Copper,  Foaming Agents, Iron, Manganese pH, Sulfate, Total Dissolved Solids, Zinc.

2. Color may be indicative of dissolved organic material, inadequate treatment, high disinfectant demand and the potential for the production of excess amounts of disinfectant by-products.

-Aluminum, Color, Copper, Iron, Manganese, Total Dissolved Solids.

3. Foaming is usually caused by detergents and similar substances when water has been agitated or aerated as in many faucets

Tastes and odors in surface water are most often caused by:

Tastes and odors in surface water are most often caused by:

1. c

lays

2. h

ardnes

s

3. a

lgae

4. c

oliform

bac

teria

14%

0%

29%

57%

1. clays

2. hardness

3. algae

4. coliform bacteria

1. clays

2. hardness

3. algae

4. coliform bacteria

Cosmetic EffectsSecondary MCLsCosmetic EffectsSecondary MCLs

1. Skin discoloration is a cosmetic effect related to silver ingestion (argyria)

2. Tooth discoloration and/or pitting is caused by excess fluoride exposures during the formative period prior to eruption of the teeth in children.

-Flouride

1. Skin discoloration is a cosmetic effect related to silver ingestion (argyria)

2. Tooth discoloration and/or pitting is caused by excess fluoride exposures during the formative period prior to eruption of the teeth in children.

-Flouride

Technical EffectsSecondary MCLsTechnical EffectsSecondary MCLs

1. Corrosivity, and staining related to corrosion, not only affect the aesthetic quality of water, but may also have significant economic implications

2. Scaling and sedimentation are other processes which have economic impacts. Scale is a mineral deposit which builds up on the insides of hot water pipes, boilers, and heat exchangers, restricting or even blocking water flow.

1. Corrosivity, and staining related to corrosion, not only affect the aesthetic quality of water, but may also have significant economic implications

2. Scaling and sedimentation are other processes which have economic impacts. Scale is a mineral deposit which builds up on the insides of hot water pipes, boilers, and heat exchangers, restricting or even blocking water flow.

FluorideFluoride4.0 mg/L is the MCLHealth Effect

Bone disease (pain and tenderness of the bones); Children may get mottled teeth

Source

Water additive which promotes strong teeth

Erosion of natural deposits,

Discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories

4.0 mg/L is the MCLHealth Effect

Bone disease (pain and tenderness of the bones); Children may get mottled teeth

Source

Water additive which promotes strong teeth

Erosion of natural deposits,

Discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories

FluorosisFluorosis

•Occurs when children are exposed to excessive levels of fluoride in water.•Occurs when children are exposed to excessive levels of fluoride in water.

Mild FluorosisMild FluorosisSevere FluorosisSevere Fluorosis

• Dr. Frederick McKay “Colorado Stain” 1909

• ~66% of United States residents on public water supplies have fluoridated water

• Levels between 0.7 and 1.2 mg/L

• Not widely used in Europe (Ireland)

• No country has discontinued fluoridation simply because it was proven harmful in any way.

• Endorsed by AWWA, American Dental Association, and WHO

• Dr. Frederick McKay “Colorado Stain” 1909

• ~66% of United States residents on public water supplies have fluoridated water

• Levels between 0.7 and 1.2 mg/L

• Not widely used in Europe (Ireland)

• No country has discontinued fluoridation simply because it was proven harmful in any way.

• Endorsed by AWWA, American Dental Association, and WHO

FluoridationFluoridationFactoidsFactoids

• 42 of the 50 largest U.S. cities have water fluoride

• 19 states have at least 75% of their population receiving fluoridated water

• 70% of people polled in a ADA survey believed community water should be fluoridated

• In cities with a population of over 50,000 people, fluoridation costs 31 cents per person per year

• 42 of the 50 largest U.S. cities have water fluoride

• 19 states have at least 75% of their population receiving fluoridated water

• 70% of people polled in a ADA survey believed community water should be fluoridated

• In cities with a population of over 50,000 people, fluoridation costs 31 cents per person per year

FluoridationFluoridationUSA Fluoride FactoidsUSA Fluoride Factoids

FluoridationFluoridation

Fluoridation Case StudyFluoridation Case Study

• Fluoridation equipment failed • Acute fluoride poisoning “nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, or numbness or tingling of the face or extremities.”• Well had a 150 mg/L [Fluoride]• 296 people poisoned, 1 person died “Inspection of public water systems and monitoring of fluoride concentrations are needed to prevent outbreaks of fluoride poisoning.”

• Fluoridation equipment failed • Acute fluoride poisoning “nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, or numbness or tingling of the face or extremities.”• Well had a 150 mg/L [Fluoride]• 296 people poisoned, 1 person died “Inspection of public water systems and monitoring of fluoride concentrations are needed to prevent outbreaks of fluoride poisoning.”

Hooper Bay Alaska 1992Hooper Bay Alaska 1992

The maximum contaminant level (MCL) for fluoride in drinking

water is:

The maximum contaminant level (MCL) for fluoride in drinking

water is:

1. 2

.0 m

g/l

2. 3

.0 m

g/l

3. 4

.0 m

g/l

4. 8

.0 m

g/l

0% 0%

100%

0%1. 2.0 mg/l

2. 3.0 mg/l

3. 4.0 mg/l

4. 8.0 mg/l

1. 2.0 mg/l

2. 3.0 mg/l

3. 4.0 mg/l

4. 8.0 mg/l

Fluoride is generally added to public water supplies to

Fluoride is generally added to public water supplies to

1. a

id in

dis

infe

ctio

n

2. r

educe

iron

build

up

3. p

rote

ct th

e den

tal h

...

4. h

elp p

reve

nt conta

...

0%7%

93%

0%1. aid in disinfection

2. reduce iron buildup

3. protect the dental health of the young

4. help prevent contamination

1. aid in disinfection

2. reduce iron buildup

3. protect the dental health of the young

4. help prevent contamination

High fluoride levels in a water system can lead to:

High fluoride levels in a water system can lead to:

1. h

eart

dise

ase

2. t

ooth

dec

ay

3. d

isco

lora

tion

of tee

th

4. t

aste

and

odor c

om...

8%0%

69%

23%

1. heart disease

2. tooth decay

3. discoloration of teeth

4. taste and odor complaints

1. heart disease

2. tooth decay

3. discoloration of teeth

4. taste and odor complaints

IronIron0.3 mg/L is the secondary MCL

Health Effect

No known health effects

Problems

Rusty color; sediment; metallic taste; reddish or orange staining

Source

Erosion of natural deposits

0.3 mg/L is the secondary MCL

Health Effect

No known health effects

Problems

Rusty color; sediment; metallic taste; reddish or orange staining

Source

Erosion of natural deposits

Corrosion/Alkalinity ControlCorrosion/Alkalinity Control

ManganeseManganese0.05 mg/L is the secondary MCLHealth Effect

No known health effects

Problems

Black to brown color; black staining; bitter metallic taste

Remove Manganese with potassium permanganate

Source

Erosion of natural deposits

0.05 mg/L is the secondary MCLHealth Effect

No known health effects

Problems

Black to brown color; black staining; bitter metallic taste

Remove Manganese with potassium permanganate

Source

Erosion of natural deposits

Fe and Mn staining of Groundwater in Vancouver

Washington

Fe and Mn staining of Groundwater in Vancouver

Washington

Fe (red) Mn (black)

staining

0.01 mg/L is the MCL for arsenic?

0.01 mg/L is the MCL for arsenic?

Tru

e

Fal

se

33%

67%

1. True

2. False

1. True

2. False

The MCL for fluoride is 10 mg/L?The MCL for fluoride is 10 mg/L?

Tru

e

Fal

se

94%

6%

1. True

2. False

1. True

2. False

Manganese causes increased risk of cancer?

Manganese causes increased risk of cancer?

Tru

e

Fal

se

88%

12%

1. True

2. False

1. True

2. False

Bone disease (pain and tenderness of the bones); Children may get mottled teeth are health concerns

for fluoride

Bone disease (pain and tenderness of the bones); Children may get mottled teeth are health concerns

for fluoride

Tru

e

Fal

se

6%

94%

1. True

2. False

1. True

2. False

Aesthetic, Cosmetic and Technical Effects are all

components of secondary MCLs?

Aesthetic, Cosmetic and Technical Effects are all

components of secondary MCLs?

Tru

e

Fal

se

0%

100%

1. True

2. False

1. True

2. False

3.0 mg/L is the MCL for Fe?3.0 mg/L is the MCL for Fe?

Tru

e

Fal

se

47%

53%

1. True

2. False

1. True

2. False

Color, Taste, Odor, and increased risk of cancer are all

secondary MCLs?

Color, Taste, Odor, and increased risk of cancer are all

secondary MCLs?

Tru

e

Fal

se

94%

6%

1. True

2. False

1. True

2. False

Nitrate and nitrite can cause Methemoglobinemia?

Nitrate and nitrite can cause Methemoglobinemia?

Tru

e

Fal

se

6%

94%

1. True

2. False

1. True

2. False

Black foot disease is a problem with arsenic contamination?

Black foot disease is a problem with arsenic contamination?

Tru

e

Fal

se

0%

100%

1. True

2. False

1. True

2. False

If a water supply exceeds the MCL, whose responsibility is it to notify

the consumer?

If a water supply exceeds the MCL, whose responsibility is it to notify

the consumer?

1. t

he te

stin

g lab.

2. t

he s

upplier.

3. t

he D

OH

4. t

he U

SEPA

0% 0%

20%

80%

1. the testing lab.

2. the supplier.

3. the DOH

4. the USEPA

1. the testing lab.

2. the supplier.

3. the DOH

4. the USEPA

The objectives stated in the syllabus to Understand the fundamentals and

health hazards of water contamination/chemistry as it

relates to drinking water standards were met ?

The objectives stated in the syllabus to Understand the fundamentals and

health hazards of water contamination/chemistry as it

relates to drinking water standards were met ?

Stro

ngly A

gree

Agre

e

Dis

agre

e

Stro

ngly D

isag

ree

67%

0%0%

33%

1. Strongly Agree

2. Agree

3. Disagree

4. Strongly Disagree

1. Strongly Agree

2. Agree

3. Disagree

4. Strongly Disagree