Cyanide Some people who drink water containing cyanide well in excess of the MCL over many
years could experience nerve damage or problems with their thyroid.
Fluoride Some people who drink water containing fluoride in excess of the MCL over many years
could get bone disease, including pain and tenderness of the bones. Children may get
mottled teeth.
Lead Infants and children who drink water containing lead in excess of the action level could
experience delays in their physical or mental development. Children could show slight
deficits in attention span and learning abilities. Adults who drink this water over many
years could develop kidney problems or high blood pressure.
Mercury Some people who drink water containing inorganic mercury well in excess of the MCL
over many years could experience kidney damage.
Nitrate Infants below the age of six months who drink water containing nitrate in excess of the
MCL could become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms include shortness
of breath and blue-baby syndrome.
Nitrite Infants below the age of six months who drink water containing nitrite in excess of the
MCL could become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms include shortness
of breath and blue-baby syndrome.
Selenium Selenium is an essential nutrient. However, some people who drink water containing
selenium in excess of the MCL over many years could experience hair or fingernail losses,
numbness in fingers or toes, or problems with their circulation.
Thallium Some people who drink water containing thallium in excess of the MCL over many years
could experience hair loss, changes in their blood, or problems with their kidneys,
intestines, or liver.
Synthetic Organic Contaminants including Pesticides and Herbicides
2,4-D Some people who drink water containing the weed killer 2,4-D well in excess of the MCL
over many years could experience problems with their kidneys, liver, or adrenal glands.
2,4,5-TP (Silvex) Some people who drink water containing silvex in excess of the MCL over many years
could experience liver problems.
Acrylamide Some people who drink water containing high levels of acrylamide over a long period of
time could have problems with their nervous system or blood, and may have an increased
risk of getting cancer.
Alachlor Some people who drink water containing alachlor in excess of the MCL over many years
could have problems with their eyes, liver, kidneys, or spleen, or experience anemia, and
may have an increased risk of getting cancer.
Atrazine Some people who drink water containing atrazine well in excess of the MCL over many
years could experience problems with their cardiovascular system or reproductive
difficulties.
Benzo(a)pyrene [PAH] Some people who drink water containing benzo(a)pyrene in excess of the MCL over many
years may experience reproductive difficulties and may have an increased risk of getting
cancer.
Carbofuran Some people who drink water containing carbofuran in excess of the MCL over many
years could experience problems with their blood, or nervous or reproductive systems.
Chlordane Some people who drink water containing chlordane in excess of the MCL over many
years could experience problems with their liver or nervous system, and may have an
increased risk of getting cancer.
Dalapon Some people who drink water containing dalapon well in excess of the MCL over many
years could experience minor kidney changes.
Di (2-ethylhexyl) adipate Some people who drink water containing di (2-ethylhexyl) adipate well in excess of the
MCL over many years could experience general toxic effects or reproductive difficulties.
Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate Some people who drink water containing di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate in excess of the MCL
over many years may have problems with their liver, or experience reproductive
difficulties, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.
