Barium

Aberdeen, Town of

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	Range of results
2014	ND	12	ND
2015	ND	5	ND
2016	N/A	0	N/A
2017	ND	10	ND
2018	ND	5	ND
2019	ND	1	ND

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
2014-04-07	8977-040714-E17I	ND
2014-04-07	8977-040714-E11I	ND
2014-04-14	8977-041414-E22I	ND
2014-05-12	8977-051214-E03I	ND
2014-05-12	8977-051214-E06I	ND
2014-05-12	8977-051214-E07I	ND
2014-05-12	8977-051214-E08I	ND
2014-05-12	8977-051214-E09I	ND
2014-05-12	8977-051214-E10I	ND
2014-05-12	8977-051214-E12I	ND
2014-05-12	8977-051214-E13I	ND
2014-05-12	8977-051214-W02I	ND
2015-01-05		ND
2015-01-05		ND
2015-01-05		ND
2015-10-05		ND
2015-12-01		ND
2017-04-03	8977-040317-E11I	ND
2017-04-03	8977-040317-E17I	ND
2017-04-03	8977-040317-E22I	ND
2017-05-01	8977-050117-E03I	ND
2017-05-01	8977-050117-E06I	ND
2017-05-01	8977-050117-E07I	ND
2017-05-01	8977-050117-E08I	ND
2017-05-01	8977-050117-E10I	ND
2017-05-01	8977-050117-E12I	ND
2017-05-01	8977-050117-E13I	ND
2018-01-22	8977-012218-E14I	ND
2018-01-22	8977-012218-E15I	ND
2018-01-22	8977-012218-E16I	ND
2018-10-01	8977-100118-E18I	ND
2018-10-01	8977-100118-E19I	ND
2019-10-21	8977-102119-E28I	ND