Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Barium

Reading Area Water Authority

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.

 

12

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

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

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
2018-01-028000188-01ND
2019-01-299000974-01ND
2019-08-289029428-01ND
2020-01-21ND
2020-07-20ND
2021-01-12ND
2021-07-06ND
2022-01-04ND
2022-07-12ND
2023-01-03ND
2023-03-24ND
2023-04-13ND