Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Thallium

Harris County Fresh Water Supply District 1a

NOTE: Harris County Fresh Water Supply District 1a purchases water from Baytown Area Water Authority which is required to test for thallium. Sample information shown below was taken by Baytown Area Water Authority.

Thalium is a naturally occurring metal released into the environment from metal smelting and coal burning. Exposure to too much thalium can cause hair loss, liver damage, reduced sperm motility and nervous system impairment.

 

9

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

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

ppb = parts per billion

State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water

EWG Health Guideline: 0.1 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.1 ppb for thallium 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 internal organs.

EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL): 2 ppb

The legal limit for thallium, established in 1992, was based on analytical detection limits at the time that the standard was set.

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

NOTE: Harris County Fresh Water Supply District 1a purchases water from Baytown Area Water Authority which is required to test for thallium. Sample information shown below was taken by Baytown Area Water Authority.

Date Lab ID Result
2018-02-12AE13215ND
2019-01-14AE49494ND
2020-03-16AF02872ND
2021-01-12AF38753ND
2021-09-27AF71186ND
2022-01-12AF79873ND
2022-01-12AF79874ND
2023-01-12AG24316ND
2023-01-12AG24317ND