Barium

Littlestown Borough

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	N/A	0	N/A
2015	ND	7	ND
2016	N/A	0	N/A
2017	N/A	0	N/A
2018	ND	7	ND
2019	ND	13	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
2015-06-17	12972417	ND
2015-06-17	12972427	ND
2015-06-17	12972436	ND
2015-06-17	12972403	ND
2015-08-12	13223510	ND
2015-10-21	13472824	ND
2015-11-10	13594590	ND
2018-07-18	8020680-05	ND
2018-07-18	8020680-04	ND
2018-07-18	8020680-03	ND
2018-07-18	8020680-02	ND
2018-07-18	8020680-01	ND
2018-07-30	8021958-01	ND
2018-07-30	8021958-02	ND
2019-12-04	9042445-02	ND
2019-12-04	9042445-03	ND
2019-12-04	9042445-04	ND
2019-12-04	9042445-05	ND
2019-12-04	9042445-06	ND
2019-12-09	9042952-01	ND
2019-12-09	9042943-02	ND
2019-12-09	9042943-01	ND
2019-12-11	9043294-02	ND
2019-12-11	9043294-04	ND
2019-12-11	9043294-01	ND
2019-12-16	9043795-01	ND
2019-12-16	9043795-03	ND