fval.com
Full service analytical/
environmental laboratory
Water Analysis
Chemistry
Inorganics - Organics
Microbiology
Coliforms - E. coli
Physical
Residue (solids) - Turbidity
Sampling Services
Inorganics
Nutrients - Metals - Radionuclides
Secondary Contaminants
MD State Certified Laboratory #133
Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday 8:00AM - 4:00PM
Nutrients are found both in nature and as fertilizers. Two forms of nitrogen in particular are important due to health effects - Nitrate and Nitrite. Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL) are issued by the US EPA under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SWDA). The MCL of Nitrate is 10 mg/L and Nitrite is 1 mg/L. Levels above these may be dangerous to newborns. They may develop "Blue Baby Syndrome" due to the strong chemical bond between these compounds and hemoglobin (the red coloring matter and oxygen carrier of the blood).
Other nitrogenous nutrients are Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN) and Ammonia, important wastewater analytes. Another important nutrient often tested in wastewater is Phosphorus as the reactive variant, called ortho - phosphorus or in all forms, Total Phosphorus.
Trace Metals are found naturally in soil and water and in the minerals in rock throughout the earths crust. Some geographic areas have levels of certain metals that have leached from water wells that are higher than the MCL. Metals such as Lead, Cadmium, Mercury, Chromium, Antimony and Arsenic may be quite toxic at levels above their MCLs. Many of these metals are used in electronics and batteries and may leach from unlined landfills and and industrial sites. The form of chromium known as Hexavalent Chromium is particularly toxic. This analyte may be specifically tested for.
There are a host of other inorganics which are not near as toxic, but may cause a problem with the aesthetics of drinking water, such as unpleasant odors, color or taste. Sulfide in the form of Hydrogen Sulfide yields a sulfurous, "rotten-egg" smell. Manganese and Iron may cause a black or rusty tint to the water. Choride may give water a "brackish" or salty taste while Sulfate may cause gastro-intestinal issues. These Secondary Contaminants have SMCLs (for Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels) which are recommended for drinking water, but not enforced.
FVAL has several Water Analysis Health Profiles that combine many of these inorganics for safety and health as well as Mineral Profiles to determine the quality of a residential well or a preliminary test to determine the need for water treatment.
Some elements have the additional danger of being radioactive. This group of elements are called Radionuclides. These substances include the metallic elements Radium and Uranium as well as the otherwise inert gas Radon. Radium may exist in a variety of isotopes such as Ra226, Ra228 and the short-lived Ra224. Besides these sources, there are naturally occurring radioactive isotopes of many other elements. Tests are available to determine the total amount of various radioactive particles emitted from a particular sample. Gross Alpha Particle Activity (GAPA) and Gross Beta Particle Activity (GBPA) are two examples. There are a number of geographical locations in Maryland that have higher than normal radium, GAPA, GBPA, radon and uranium levels in the groundwater.
Visit these websites for additional information:
Inorganics:
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/contaminants/index.html#inorganic
Radionuclides:
Analyte
Antimony
Arsenic
Barium
Beryllium
Cadmium
Chromium
Cyanide
Mercury
Nitrate Nitrite
Selenium
Thallium
Lead
Copper
Secondary
Contaminants
Aluminum
Chloride
Detergents
Iron
Manganese
pH
Silver
Sulfate
Total Dissolved Solids
MCLs of Select Analytes
MCL (mg/L)
0.006
0.010
2
0.004
0.005
0.1
0.2
0.002
10
1
0.05
0.002
TT*
0.015
1.3
SMCL**
0.05 to 0.2
250
0.5
0.3
0.05
6.5-8.5
0.10 mg/L
250 mg/L
500 mg/L
* Treatment Technique - An enforceable procedure or level of technical perform-ance which public water systems must follow to ensure control of a contam-inant.
** SMCL - Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level (non-enforcable)