Common Water Contaminants

By Lynn Keiley
Published on June 1, 2003
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PHOTO: CLAIRE ANDERSON
A faucet-mounted, activated-carbon filter removes common water contaminants and provides great tasting water right from the tap.

Learn about these common water contaminants that can lead to unsafe drinking water.

Common Water Contaminants

Lead

One of the most commonly occurring inorganic contaminants, lead typically finds its way into drinking water from sources inside the home. Until their ban in 1991, lead pipes and solder commonly were used in home plumbing systems. If your home was built before the ban and the water pipes have not been replaced, it’s likely that lead could be dissolving into your drinking water. Lead is particularly dangerous for young children, and has been associated with behavioral disorders, brain damage and lowered IQ. In adults, long-term exposure has been linked to strokes, cancer and elevated blood pressure.

Lead tends to accumulate as water sits in pipes overnight. You can decrease the risk of lead exposure by simply allowing water to run through faucets for a couple of minutes each morning, before filling any drinking containers. A simple blood test, taken annually, will tell if you are consuming too much lead from water or other sources.

Nitrates

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