Selenium
New Britain Water Department
Selenium is an essential element in diets. But too much selenium can decrease thyroid hormone production and cause hair loss, skin lesions and brittle fingernails.
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 | ND | 6 | 0 | ND |
| 2019 | ND | 5 | 0 | ND |
| 2020 | ND | 5 | 0 | ND |
| 2021 | ND | 5 | 0 | ND |
| 2022 | ND | 5 | 0 | ND |
| 2023 | ND | 2 | 0 | ND |
ppb = parts per billion
State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water
EWG Health Guideline: 30 ppb
The EWG Health Guideline of 30 ppb for selenium 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 hair loss and nail damage.
EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL): 50 ppb
The legal limit for selenium, established in 1991, was based on human epidemiological studies of populations exposed to naturally occurring selenium in drinking water. This limit does not include any additional consideration of children’s health.
ppb = parts per billion
All test results
| Date | Lab ID | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2018-04-16 | IOCR 200492150 | ND |
| 2018-04-16 | IOCR 200492148 | ND |
| 2018-04-16 | IOCR 200492149 | ND |
| 2018-04-16 | IOCR 200492147 | ND |
| 2018-06-20 | IOC1 200497534 | ND |
| 2018-06-20 | IOCR 200497534 | ND |
| 2019-04-25 | IOCR 200529606B | ND |
| 2019-04-25 | IOCR 200529609E | ND |
| 2019-04-25 | IOCR 200529607C | ND |
| 2019-04-25 | IOCR 200529608D | ND |
| 2019-06-12 | IOC1 200535995 | ND |
| 2020-04-22 | IOCR 200573267 | ND |
| 2020-04-22 | IOCR 200573266 | ND |
| 2020-04-22 | IOCR 200573268 | ND |
| 2020-04-22 | IOCR 200573265 | ND |
| 2020-06-11 | IOC1 200578892 | ND |
| 2021-04-20 | IOCR 200613888 | ND |
| 2021-04-20 | IOCR 200613891 | ND |
| 2021-04-20 | IOCR 200613889 | ND |
| 2021-04-20 | IOCR 200613890 | ND |
| 2021-06-16 | IOC1 200621205 | ND |
| 2022-04-20 | I300172305 300172308 | ND |
| 2022-04-20 | I300172334 300172337 | ND |
| 2022-04-20 | I300172312 300172315 | ND |
| 2022-04-20 | I300172319 300172327 | ND |
| 2022-06-28 | E300204043 300204047 | ND |
| 2023-04-17 | E300334310 300334313 | ND |
| 2023-06-13 | E300364610 300364613 | ND |