Barium

Antelope Valley - East Kern Water Agency

Barium is a mineral present in rocks, soil and water. High concentrations of barium in drinking water increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and hypertension.

MORE ABOUT THIS CONTAMINANT

Samples

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

Year	Average result	Samples taken	Detections	Range of results
2014	ND	4	0	ND
2015	ND	4	0	ND
2016	ND	3	0	ND
2017	ND	3	0	ND
2018	39.0 ppb	10	3	ND - 140.0 ppb
2019	ND	3	0	ND

ppb = parts per billion

State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines

EWG Health Guideline 700 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 700 ppb for barium was defined by EWG as benchmark that protects against harm to the kidneys and the cardiovascular system.

EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) 2,000 ppb

The legal limit for barium, established in 1991, was based on a 10-week study of barium exposure in 11 adult male volunteers. This limit does not include any additional consideration of children’s health.

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

Date	Lab ID	Result
2014-10-08	9588-015-0849	ND
2014-11-12	9588-006-0740	ND
2014-11-12	9588-004-0724	ND
2014-11-12	9588-001-1237	ND
2015-05-13	9590-015-1040	ND
2015-11-11	9590-001-1257	ND
2015-11-11	9590-004-0705	ND
2015-11-11	9590-006-0844	ND
2016-11-07	9590-001-1250	ND
2016-11-07	9590-006-0730	ND
2016-11-07	9590-004-0620	ND
2017-11-07	9590-001-1025	ND
2017-11-07	9590-006-0715	ND
2017-11-07	9590-004-1130	ND
2018-02-28	9590-019-0928	130.0 ppb
2018-03-21	9590-023-0830	ND
2018-05-09	9590-015-1032	ND
2018-05-23	9590-019-0947	120.0 ppb
2018-06-20	9590-023-1023	ND
2018-06-20	9590-024-0811	ND
2018-08-08	9590-019-1055	140.0 ppb
2018-11-06	9590-006-0730	ND
2018-11-06	9590-001-1110	ND
2018-11-06	9590-004-1105	ND
2019-11-13	9590-004-1202	ND
2019-11-13	9590-006-0833	ND
2019-11-13	9590-001-0853	ND