Barium

Robeson County Water System

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
2013	N/A	0	N/A
2014	ND	2	ND
2015	ND	10	ND
2016	ND	1	ND
2017	ND	2	ND
2018	ND	10	ND
2019	ND	1	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
2014-07-14	8410-071414-013I	ND
2014-09-02	8410-090214-012I	ND
2015-01-05		ND
2015-01-05		ND
2015-01-05		ND
2015-01-05		ND
2015-01-05		ND
2015-01-05		ND
2015-01-12		ND
2015-01-12		ND
2015-01-12		ND
2015-05-11		ND
2016-01-11	8410-011116-014I	ND
2017-07-10	8410-071017-013I	ND
2017-09-11	8410-091117-012I	ND
2018-01-16	8410-011618-011I	ND
2018-01-16	8410-011618-E15I	ND
2018-01-22	8410-012218-001I	ND
2018-01-22	8410-012218-002I	ND
2018-01-22	8410-012218-003I	ND
2018-01-22	8410-012218-004I	ND
2018-01-22	8410-012218-005I	ND
2018-01-22	8410-012218-006I	ND
2018-01-22	8410-012218-008I	ND
2018-01-22	8410-012218-009I	ND
2019-01-07	8410-010719-014I	ND