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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Barium

UC - Davis

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.

 

12

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND50ND
2015ND10ND
2016N/A00N/A
201721.7 ppb61ND - 130.0 ppb
2018N/A00N/A
2019N/A00N/A

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
2014-09-045810-001-0742ND
2014-09-045810-002-0929ND
2014-09-045810-004-0953ND
2014-09-045810-015-1305ND
2014-09-045810-026-0850ND
2015-02-195810-014-1030ND
2017-09-275810-001-1040ND
2017-09-275810-002-1225ND
2017-09-275810-004-1020ND
2017-09-275810-014-1205ND
2017-09-275810-015-0940130.0 ppb
2017-09-275810-026-1005ND