Thallium

Golden State Water Company (GSWC) - Southwest

Thalium is a naturally occurring metal released into the environment from metal smelting and coal burning. Exposure to too much thalium can cause hair loss, liver damage, reduced sperm motility and nervous system impairment.

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Samples

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

Year	Average result	Samples taken	Range of results
2013	N/A	0	N/A
2014	ND	14	ND
2015	N/A	0	N/A
2016	N/A	0	N/A
2017	ND	13	ND
2018	N/A	0	N/A
2019	N/A	0	N/A

ppb = parts per billion

State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines

EWG Health Guideline 0.1 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.1 ppb for thallium was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against harm to internal organs.

EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) 2 ppb

The legal limit for thallium, established in 1992, was based on analytical detection limits at the time that the standard was set.

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

Date	Lab ID	Result
2014-05-13	2706-005-1314	ND
2014-05-13	2706-070-1325	ND
2014-05-13	2706-069-1127	ND
2014-05-13	2706-064-1104	ND
2014-05-13	2706-062-1017	ND
2014-05-13	2706-061-1037	ND
2014-05-13	2706-045-1204	ND
2014-05-13	2706-043-1140	ND
2014-05-13	2706-039-1221	ND
2014-05-13	2706-038-0811	ND
2014-05-13	2706-037-0837	ND
2014-05-13	2706-036-0953	ND
2014-05-13	2706-011-1356	ND
2014-05-13	2706-010-0915	ND
2017-02-23	9590-073-0924	ND
2017-03-23	9590-011-1240	ND
2017-03-29	9590-005-1345	ND
2017-03-29	9590-070-1307	ND
2017-03-29	9590-045-1145	ND
2017-03-29	9590-039-1235	ND
2017-03-29	9590-036-0915	ND
2017-03-29	9590-010-1050	ND
2017-03-30	9590-069-0845	ND
2017-03-30	9590-043-0920	ND
2017-03-30	9590-038-0725	ND
2017-03-30	9590-037-0653	ND
2017-04-13	9590-064-0754	ND