Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Beryllium

Salem Public Works

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.

 

12

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018ND10ND
2019ND10ND
2020ND20ND
2021ND20ND
2022ND30ND
2023ND30ND

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
2018-01-24201801250239-IND
2019-02-07201902080338-IND
2020-02-03202002040118-IND
2020-05-18202005190119-IND
2021-02-16202102170345-IND
2021-05-10202105110678-IND
2022-02-16202202180003-IND
2022-06-23380-6930-1-IND
2022-10-12380-24325-1-IND
2023-01-04380-33407-1-IND
2023-04-27380-45315-1-IND
2023-10-31380-69271-1-IND