|
Some people
may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than
the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as
persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have
undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other
immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be
particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek
advice about drinking water from their health care providers.
EPA/Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines on appropriate
means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and
other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Water
Drinking Hotline (800-426-4791). |
|
|
Drinking
water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to
contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The
presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that
water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants
and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the
Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Safe Drinking Water
Hotline (800-426-4791). The sources of drinking water (both tap
water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds,
reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over the
surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves
naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive
material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence
of animals or from human activity:
microbial
contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, that may come from
sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock
operations, and wildlife; inorganic contaminants, such as salts
and metals, which can be naturally occurring or result from
urban stormwater runoff, industrial, or domestic wastewater
discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming;
pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of
sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and
residential uses; organic Chemical Contaminants, including
synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products
of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also
come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic
systems; and radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally
occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining
activities. In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink,
EPA prescribes regulations that limit the amount of certain
contaminants in water provided by public water systems. Food
and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations establish limits for
contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same
protection for public health. |
|
