Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Beryllium

City of Tacoma

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.

 

19

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018ND10ND
2019ND10ND
2020N/A00N/A
2021ND60ND
2022ND80ND
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
2018-10-18ND
2019-12-05ND
2021-06-214136296ND
2021-06-214136300ND
2021-06-214136298ND
2021-06-214136297ND
2021-06-304143413ND
2021-07-214159325ND
2022-09-154371197ND
2022-10-114371889ND
2022-11-154384533ND
2022-12-274400688ND
2022-12-274400688ND
2022-12-274400688ND
2022-12-274400688ND
2022-12-274400688ND
2023-07-124499687ND
2023-07-124499689ND
2023-10-204549137ND