Barium
Middletown 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.
Samples
Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)
Samples exceeding
health guidelines
Testing results - average by year
| Year | Average result | Samples taken | Detections | Range of results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 21.5 ppb | 4 | 4 | 10.00 ppb - 42.0 ppb |
| 2019 | 20.0 ppb | 4 | 4 | 10.00 ppb - 38.0 ppb |
| 2020 | 17.8 ppb | 4 | 4 | 8.00 ppb - 31.0 ppb |
| 2021 | 21.3 ppb | 4 | 4 | 9.00 ppb - 36.0 ppb |
| 2022 | 16.8 ppb | 4 | 4 | 7.00 ppb - 26.0 ppb |
| 2023 | 15.5 ppb | 4 | 4 | 4.00 ppb - 27.0 ppb |
ppb = parts per billion
State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2018-03-01 | IOCR 200489002 | 11.0 ppb |
| 2018-03-01 | IOC1 200489001 | 10.00 ppb |
| 2018-04-16 | IOC1 200492152 | 23.0 ppb |
| 2018-04-16 | IOCR 200492151 | 42.0 ppb |
| 2019-05-13 | IOC1 200531892 | 21.0 ppb |
| 2019-05-13 | IOCR 200531894 | 38.0 ppb |
| 2019-05-21 | IOC1 200533082 | 10.00 ppb |
| 2019-05-21 | IOCR 200533084 | 11.0 ppb |
| 2020-05-06 | IOC1 200574724 | 8.00 ppb |
| 2020-05-06 | IOCR 200574725 | 8.00 ppb |
| 2020-05-14 | IOC1 200575834 | 24.0 ppb |
| 2020-05-14 | IOCR 200575835 | 31.0 ppb |
| 2021-03-30 | IOC1 200611335 | 9.00 ppb |
| 2021-03-30 | IOCR 200611337 | 36.0 ppb |
| 2021-03-30 | IOC1 200611336 | 31.0 ppb |
| 2021-04-07 | IOCR 200612106 | 9.00 ppb |
| 2022-05-11 | E300182524 300182533 | 8.00 ppb |
| 2022-05-11 | E300182526 300182546 | 26.0 ppb |
| 2022-05-11 | I300182528 300182552 | 7.00 ppb |
| 2022-05-11 | I300182529 300182557 | 26.0 ppb |
| 2023-06-23 | E300370712 300370715 | 5.00 ppb |
| 2023-06-23 | E300370718 300370721 | 27.0 ppb |
| 2023-06-23 | I300370724 300370727 | 4.00 ppb |
| 2023-06-23 | I300370731 300370734 | 26.0 ppb |