Problems associated with heavy metals in drinking water

Conference · Mon Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1981 · Trace Subst. Environ. Health; (United States)

OSTI ID:6237876

Strain, W H; Varnes, A W; Paxton, C A; Drenski, T L; Hill, Jr, O A

Numerous problems are associated with investigating heavy metals in drinking and household water. Increased levels of the heavy metals usually indicate costly corrosive action and suggest the development of adverse health effects. Screening for the various metals is most easily carried out by inductively coupled plasma (ICP) arc spectrometry and improvements that are just being perfected will improve determinations of arsenic, lead, mercury and selenium. Since low pH favors corrosion and the build up of heavy metals, the effect of alkaline waters on corrosion and health should be investigated thoroughly. This has become possible through the publication in 1980 of Geographic Factors in the Risk of Drying and Associated Factors by Herbert Sauer. Is the better health of the Great Plains states due to alkaline waters. Is acid rain toxic to people as well as fish. These issues may be examined by computer analysis of health and water quality and experimental approaches through use of reverse osmosis water units.

• Research Organization: Cleveland Metropolitan General Hospital, Cleveland, OH
• OSTI ID: 6237876
• Report Number(s): CONF-8106251-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Trace Subst. Environ. Health; (United States) Journal Volume: 15
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

552000 -- Public Health
560306* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Man-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CORROSION PRODUCTS
DRINKING WATER
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
METALS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PH VALUE
TRACE AMOUNTS
WATER
WATER QUALITY