Barium

Burbank Water Department

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	55.0 ppb	4	2	ND - 110.0 ppb
2015	85.0 ppb	4	3	ND - 120.0 ppb
2016	ND	4	0	ND
2017	ND	4	0	ND
2018	ND	4	0	ND
2019	ND	4	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
2014-01-06	9590-053-0715	ND
2014-04-07	9590-053-0705	110.0 ppb
2014-07-07	9590-053-0700	110.0 ppb
2014-10-06	9590-053-0710	ND
2015-01-05	9590-053-0840	ND
2015-04-06	9590-053-0730	110.0 ppb
2015-07-06	9590-053-0730	110.0 ppb
2015-10-05	9590-053-0700	120.0 ppb
2016-01-04	9590-053-1045	ND
2016-04-13	9590-053-0800	ND
2016-07-05	9590-053-0830	ND
2016-10-03	9590-053-0920	ND
2017-01-03	9590-053-0720	ND
2017-04-10	9588-053-0800	ND
2017-07-03	9588-053-0700	ND
2017-10-02	9588-053-0710	ND
2018-01-02	9588-053-0800	ND
2018-04-02	9588-053-0700	ND
2018-07-02	9588-053-0700	ND
2018-10-01	9588-053-0800	ND
2019-01-07	9588-053-0705	ND
2019-04-01	9588-053-0720	ND
2019-07-01	9588-053-0815	ND
2019-10-07	9588-053-0700	ND