Barium

City of Riverside

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	Range of results
2013	N/A	0	N/A
2014	ND	5	ND
2015	ND	4	ND
2016	ND	4	ND
2017	ND	3	ND
2018	ND	6	ND
2019	ND	11	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
2014-01-07	9590-107-0940	ND
2014-02-18	9590-107-0920	ND
2014-04-01	9590-107-0915	ND
2014-07-01	9590-107-0845	ND
2014-10-07	9590-107-0840	ND
2015-01-06	9590-107-0835	ND
2015-04-07	9590-107-0937	ND
2015-07-07	9590-107-0840	ND
2015-10-06	9590-107-1032	ND
2016-01-05	9590-107-0840	ND
2016-04-12	9590-107-1230	ND
2016-07-12	9590-107-1230	ND
2016-10-04	9590-107-1233	ND
2017-05-02	9590-107-1039	ND
2017-07-25	9590-107-1055	ND
2017-10-03	9590-107-0845	ND
2018-01-02	9590-107-0900	ND
2018-04-03	9590-107-0910	ND
2018-05-01	9590-107-0840	ND
2018-06-05	9590-107-1130	ND
2018-11-06	4790-107-0905	ND
2018-12-04	4790-107-0935	ND
2019-01-02	4790-107-0900	ND
2019-02-05	4790-107-1135	ND
2019-03-05	4790-107-1235	ND
2019-04-02	4790-107-0900	ND
2019-06-04	4790-107-0915	ND
2019-07-02	4790-107-0910	ND
2019-08-06	4790-107-0855	ND
2019-09-03	4790-107-0850	ND
2019-10-01	4790-107-1139	ND
2019-11-05	4790-107-0855	ND
2019-12-03	4790-107-0917	ND