Barium

City of Escondido

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
2013	N/A	0	0	N/A
2014	57.5 ppb	4	2	ND - 120.0 ppb
2015	96.0 ppb	5	4	ND - 140.0 ppb
2016	122.5 ppb	4	4	110.0 ppb - 130.0 ppb
2017	ND	3	0	ND
2018	27.5 ppb	4	1	ND - 110.0 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
2014-05-12	2706-019-1001	110.0 ppb
2014-05-12	2706-018-1022	ND
2014-11-17	2706-019-1043	120.0 ppb
2014-11-17	2706-018-1110	ND
2015-02-09	2706-018-1120	ND
2015-05-18	2706-019-1010	110.0 ppb
2015-05-18	2706-018-1110	110.0 ppb
2015-11-16	2706-018-1104	120.0 ppb
2015-11-16	2706-019-1038	140.0 ppb
2016-05-16	2706-018-1010	120.0 ppb
2016-05-16	2706-019-0919	130.0 ppb
2016-11-14	2706-019-0953	130.0 ppb
2016-11-14	2706-018-1028	110.0 ppb
2017-05-09	2706-018-1050	ND
2017-11-13	2706-018-0730	ND
2017-11-13	2706-019-0843	ND
2018-05-15	2706-019-0916	110.0 ppb
2018-05-15	2706-018-0838	ND
2018-11-13	2706-019-1110	ND
2018-11-13	2706-018-1035	ND
2019-05-13	2706-018-0830	ND
2019-11-12	2706-019-0800	ND
2019-11-12	2706-018-0845	ND