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Health Effects of Selected Drinking Water Contaminants:

CONTAMINANT         PROBABLE HEALTH EFFECTS*

Arsenic                 Malignant tumors of skin and lungs, cramps, 
                        spasms, effects to nervous system

Barium                  Prolonged stimulant action on muscles,
                        nerve block

Benzene                 Associated with cancer, leukemia, anemia

Cadmium                 Bronchitis, anemia, gastrointestinal upsets, 
                        cancer in rats

Carbon tetrachloride    Central nervous system depression, 
                        gastrointestinal effects, liver and kidney 
                        damage, coma, death

Chlordane*              Carcinogen, liver and kidney damage

Chlorobenzene           Irritation to respiratory system, central 
                        nervous system depression

Chloroform              Possible liver, kidney and heart effects; 
                        carcinogenic in at least one animal species

Chromium                Kidney damage, cancer

Copper                  Gastrointestinal tract irritant, possible 
                        infant fatality, Wilson's disease

Dichlorobenzene(s)*     Suspected carcinogen

1,1-Dichloroethane      Central nervous system depression, liver 
                        damage, suggested animal carcinogen

1,2-Dichloroethane      Nausea, mental confusion, liver and kidney 
                        damage

Dichloroethylene*       Nausea, dizziness

Ethylenedibromide (EDS) Decreased fertility

Fluoride                Skeletal damage when present in high levels

Heptachlor              Possible tumor induction, carcinogenic in 
                        test animals

Lead                    Damage to nervous system, kidneys, reproductive 
                        system; cancer in rats

Lindane                 Chronic liver damage, anemia, leukemia

Mercury                 Kidney impairment, possible death

Methylene chloride*     Toxic

Nickel                  Signs of hyperglycemia and gastrointestinal 
                        and nervous disorders

Pentachlorophenol (PCP) Loss of appetite, respiratory difficulties, 
                        anesthesia, coma, death

PCBs                    Damage to skin and liver; nausea, loss of 
                        weight, jaundice, coma, death

Selenium                Carcinogen; irritation to mucous membranes, 
                        dermatitis

Sulfate                 Laxative action

Tetrachloroethylene     Central nervous system effects; confirmed 
                        animal carcinogen, anesthesia, death

Toluene                 Narcosis, irritation to eyes and respiratory 
                        system

Toxaphene               Possible liver damage

1,1,1-Trichloroethane   Narcosis, depression of central nervous system, 
                        unconsciousness, death

1,1,2-Trichloroethane   Possible liver and kidney effects, possible 
                        carcinogen in animals

Trichloroethylene       Central nervous system depression, loss of 
                        coordination, unconsciousness; strong irritant                       and carcinogen

2,4,6-Trichlorophenol*  Suspected carcinogen

Trihalomethanes (THMs)  Effects to nervous system and muscles, loss 
                        of consciousness

Vinyl chloride          Central nervous system depression, dulling of 
                        visual and auditory responses, possible death

Xylene                  Mucous membrane irritant, lung congestion, 
                        impairment of kidney functions

Zinc                    Muscular stiffness and pain, loss of appetite, 
                        nausea
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*The Assembly Office of Research, April 12, 1983, states that the health 
effects listed for these substances were compiled from the following sources:

"Drinking Water and Health", 
National Academy of Sciences, 
Safe Drinking Water Committee, 1977,

"Contamination of Ground Water by Toxic Organic Chemicals", 
U.S. Council on Environmental Quality, 1981

"Carcinogenic Hazards of Organic Chemicals in Drinking Water", 
R.H. Harris, T. Page, and N.A. Reiches, 1977

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