Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Beryllium

City of Opelousas Water System

Beryllium is a toxic metal that is both naturally occurring and released into the environment from industrial pollution and incineration. Beryllium can damage lungs, bones and the digestive system.

 

22

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018ND100ND
2019N/A00N/A
2020ND20ND
2021ND40ND
2022N/A00N/A
2023ND60ND

ppb = parts per billion

State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water

EWG Health Guideline: 1 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 1 ppb for beryllium 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 harm to the stomach and intestines.

EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL): 4 ppb

The legal limit for beryllium, 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 Lab ID Result
2018-01-09AE20408ND
2018-01-09AE20412ND
2018-01-09AE20416ND
2018-01-09AE20420ND
2018-01-09AE20404ND
2018-01-09AE20408ND
2018-01-09AE20412ND
2018-01-09AE20416ND
2018-01-09AE20420ND
2018-01-09AE20404ND
2020-08-17B2004149-002ND
2020-08-17B2004149-001ND
2021-01-19B2100163-001ND
2021-01-19B2100163-002ND
2021-01-19B2100163-003ND
2021-01-19B2100163-004ND
2023-08-28B2303557-001ND
2023-08-28B2303557-002ND
2023-08-28B2303557-003ND
2023-08-28B2303557-004ND
2023-08-28B2303557-005ND
2023-08-28B2303557-006ND