Barium

City of Opelousas Water System

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	ND	4	0	ND
2015	186.0 ppb	10	10	100.0 ppb - 230.0 ppb
2016	N/A	0	0	N/A
2017	ND	4	0	ND
2018	ND	10	0	ND
2019	N/A	0	0	N/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
2014-09-08	AD96563	ND
2014-09-08	AD96563	ND
2014-10-06	AD98296	ND
2014-10-06	AD98296	ND
2015-03-09	35178831003	170.0 ppb
2015-03-09	35178831001	100.0 ppb
2015-03-09	35178831002	210.0 ppb
2015-03-09	35178831003	170.0 ppb
2015-03-09	35178831005	220.0 ppb
2015-03-09	35178831004	230.0 ppb
2015-03-09	35178831002	210.0 ppb
2015-03-09	35178831001	100.0 ppb
2015-03-09	35178831004	230.0 ppb
2015-03-09	35178831005	220.0 ppb
2017-09-18	AE18148	ND
2017-09-18	AE18132	ND
2017-09-18	AE18148	ND
2017-09-18	AE18132	ND
2018-01-09	AE20404	ND
2018-01-09	AE20420	ND
2018-01-09	AE20416	ND
2018-01-09	AE20412	ND
2018-01-09	AE20408	ND
2018-01-09	AE20404	ND
2018-01-09	AE20420	ND
2018-01-09	AE20416	ND
2018-01-09	AE20412	ND
2018-01-09	AE20408	ND