Antimony
Lee County Utilities
Antimony is a naturally occurring metal that enters tap water from plumbing fittings and also from industrial uses, such as production of metal alloys, batteries and plastics. Antimony causes organ damage and shortens lifespans in studies of laboratory animals.
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 | ND | 5 | 0 | ND |
| 2015 | ND | 1 | 0 | ND |
| 2016 | 1.000 ppb | 1 | 1 | 1.000 ppb |
| 2017 | ND | 5 | 0 | ND |
| 2018 | ND | 4 | 0 | ND |
| 2019 | 0.500 ppb | 2 | 1 | ND - 1.000 ppb |
ppb = parts per billion
State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines
EWG Health Guideline 1 ppb
The EWG Health Guideline of 1 ppb for antimony 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 change to the stomach and intestines.
EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) 6 ppb
The legal limit for antimony, established in 1992, was based on a toxicity study in laboratory animals published in 1970. This limit does not include any additional consideration of children’s health.
ppb = parts per billion
All test results
| Date | Result |
|---|---|
| 2014-02-05 | ND |
| 2014-03-03 | ND |
| 2014-04-16 | ND |
| 2014-04-16 | ND |
| 2014-10-08 | ND |
| 2015-10-12 | ND |
| 2016-10-03 | 1.000 ppb |
| 2017-02-01 | ND |
| 2017-03-02 | ND |
| 2017-04-03 | ND |
| 2017-04-03 | ND |
| 2017-10-05 | ND |
| 2018-06-11 | ND |
| 2018-07-09 | ND |
| 2018-10-01 | ND |
| 2018-10-16 | ND |
| 2019-01-07 | 1.000 ppb |
| 2019-10-07 | ND |