Water is essential to life. However, most of us take for granted this basic fact and continue to pollute our natural water drinking reservoirs.  Water contaminants continue to degrade water quality and affect our health with serious and sometimes fatal consequences.  Here are some of the top water contaminants you need to be aware of.

Arsenic

According to oil field wastewater treatment specialists, arsenic is a classic example of a toxic heavy metal that is dangerous to our health. People that are exposed to toxic levels of this in contaminated drinking water are at a high risk of developing bladder and liver damage.  The chemical also harms both the central and peripheral nervous systems including the circulatory system as well and is linked to a variety of cancers.

Fluoride

It is a known fact that many communities on purpose add fluoride to their drinking water in order to promote dental health. The US EPA has set a drinking water standard for fluoride of 4 mg/L.  Those that have been exposed to higher levels are prone to getting bone problems.

Lead

Commonly found in old plumbing systems. Lead pipes and fittings have been banned since 1998. Children and pregnant women pose the greatest risk for lead poisoning that can cause developmental problems and mental retardation.

Radon

According to groundwater treatment system specialists, radionuclides radon gas can dissolve and collect in many underground water sources like wells. Drinking water that is contaminated with it can cause lung cancer.

Aside from chemical contaminants, bacterial toxins pose a great risk especially in developing countries where access to healthy and safe drinking water is not always consistent.  Here are some of the most common.

Coliform Bacteria

These are commonly present in the environment. The presence in drinking water is largely due to defects in the treatment system or loss of integrity of plumbing systems, which cause contamination that results in disease.

Cryptosporidium

A parasite that invades rivers and lakes through animal waste and sewage. It has the ability to survive outside the host for a prolonged period of time, which makes it resistant to chlorine-based disinfectants. In its mild form it causes gastroenteritis but can be fatal to people that have suppressed immune functions.

To know the many treatment methods for chemical and bacterial contamination in water log on to www.carbonair.com