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Status: Unregulated - EPA has not established a maximum legal limit in tapwater for this contaminant. Hydrogen sulfide is a constituent of crude petroleum, natural gas, volcanic gas, and hot springs. It is produced by the decomposition of human waste and animal waste, including from landfills and sewers; and is a pollutant from various industries including food processing, coke ovens, kraft paper mills, tanneries, and petroleum refineries. Potential health impacts associated with Hydrogen sulfide include cardiovascular or blood toxicity, neurotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, and respiratory toxicity. Sources of Hydrogen sulfide:  | Sprawl and Urban Areas (road runoff, lawn pesticides, human waste) |  | Industry |  | Naturally Occurring (naturally present but increased for lands denuded by sprawl, agriculture, or industrial development) |
An Environmental Working Group analysis of Hydrogen sulfide tests reported by 37 public water suppliers in 5 states shows that between 1998 and 2003, 470 thousand people in 29 communities drank water contaminated with Hydrogen sulfide. No health-based limit has been established by the federal government.Hydrogen sulfide remains unregulated in tap water, without a maximum legal limit. Exposure Summary 469,562 | People drinking water contaminated with Hydrogen sulfide | 29 | Communities served water contaminated with Hydrogen sulfide |
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Table. Hydrogen sulfide Exposure by State470 thousand Americans in 3 states were served tap water contaminated with Hydrogen sulfide between 1998 and 2003. Table. The most polluted communities470,000 Americans in 29 communities were served tap water contaminated with Hydrogen sulfide between 1998 and 2003 Ranked by highest average Hydrogen sulfide level | Rank | System
| Population Served
| Positive test results of total reported tests
| Average Level
(Range) |
|---|
| 1 | Dearborn Ridge
Atkinson, NH | 25 | 1 of 1 | 98800 ppb
(98800 to 98800 ppb) | | 2 | Hopkinton Village Precinct
Hopkinton, NH | 215 | 1 of 1 | 60000 ppb
(60000 to 60000 ppb) | | 3 | White Rock Senior Living
Bow, NH | 216 | 1 of 1 | 8300 ppb
(8300 to 8300 ppb) | | 4 | Peu / Harvest Village
Londonderry, NH | 140 | 1 of 1 | 6300 ppb
(6300 to 6300 ppb) | | 5 | Maple Haven
Derry, NH | 95 | 1 of 1 | 3100 ppb
(3100 to 3100 ppb) | | 6 | Walnut Ridge / Bryant Woods
Atkinson, NH | 2,467 | 3 of 3 | 2616.67 ppb
(120 to 7600 ppb) | | 7 | Bricketts Mill
Hampstead, NH | 68 | 1 of 1 | 330 ppb
(330 to 330 ppb) | | 8 | Kent Farm
Hampstead, NH | 555 | 1 of 1 | 300 ppb
(300 to 300 ppb) | | 9 | Attitash Woods Condo Association
Bartlett, NH | 135 | 1 of 1 | 240 ppb
(240 to 240 ppb) | | 10 | Century Village Condos
Londonderry, NH | 875 | 1 of 1 | 200 ppb
(200 to 200 ppb) |
Next --> Testing Summary for Hydrogen sulfide Water suppliers report an average of 0.2 Hydrogen sulfide tests per year. 39,714 water suppliers failed to report
any Hydrogen sulfide tests at all. | Are tests routinely required for Hydrogen sulfide by federal law? | No | | Water suppliers reporting tests for Hydrogen sulfide (1998-2003): | 37 of 39,751 | | Average testing rate for water supplier reporting tests (1998-2003): | 0.2 per year |
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Hydrogen sulfide Violations Because Hydrogen sulfide is unregulated in tap water, no violations are
recorded in EPA's violations database, the Safe Drinking Water Information
System. Under the federal tap water law, water suppliers are not required
to routinely test for Hydrogen sulfide, and any level is legal in tap water.
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