Thallium

City of Fullerton

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.

MORE ABOUT THIS CONTAMINANT

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	N/A	0	N/A
2015	N/A	0	N/A
2016	ND	13	ND
2017	N/A	0	N/A
2018	N/A	0	N/A
2019	ND	9	ND

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
2016-02-03	4417-010-1010	ND
2016-02-03	4417-012-0950	ND
2016-02-03	4417-014-0920	ND
2016-02-23	4417-015-0955	ND
2016-05-02	4417-007-1115	ND
2016-05-02	4417-021-1045	ND
2016-05-02	4417-010-0955	ND
2016-05-02	4417-011-0920	ND
2016-05-02	4417-018-0935	ND
2016-05-02	4417-012-1010	ND
2016-05-02	4417-014-0900	ND
2016-05-02	4417-016-1150	ND
2016-08-04	4417-001-1145	ND
2019-03-05	4417-012-1205	ND
2019-03-05	4417-014-0915	ND
2019-03-20	4417-001-0945	ND
2019-04-03	4417-007-1140	ND
2019-04-03	4417-021-1110	ND
2019-04-08	4417-015-1140	ND
2019-04-08	4417-016-1210	ND
2019-04-08	4417-018-0840	ND
2019-04-11	4417-011-1130	ND