Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Barium

Fort Detrick

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.

 

10

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
201813.5 ppb21ND - 27.0 ppb
201911.5 ppb21ND - 23.0 ppb
202011.0 ppb21ND - 22.0 ppb
2021ND10ND
202211.5 ppb21ND - 23.0 ppb
202323.0 ppb1123.0 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
2018-02-09229424100127.0 ppb
2018-05-09E18004040003ND
2019-04-05302663300123.0 ppb
2019-04-16E19003467002ND
2020-05-053100372001B22.0 ppb
2020-06-15E20003843002ND
2021-07-13E22000123003ND
2022-02-08322716700123.0 ppb
2022-06-30E2300000602ND
2023-02-07328680300123.0 ppb