Contaminants in Long Island water

The Environmental Protection Agency has asked water companies above a certain size to monitor water samples for 28 contaminants that are not now regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Here are the results of 28,092 tests on Long Island in the most recent round of testing. The government has set target limits on 20 of the substances and this database indicates where those limits were exceeded and where they were not. Another eight substances have no limit set and the database indicates where those were detected as all. In many tests, the substances were not detectable above a minimum level. Aqua NY- Sea Cliff, Aqua NY and Long Island American Water Corp. are now known as New York American Water. Amounts listed are in parts per billion (PPB). This database was posted on Jan. 9, 2017.

What's in your water?

Chlorate: Can cause anemia and nervous system problems in children. Used as a disinfectant, it prevents the body from absorbing iodine, important to the normal functioning of the thyroid gland. Prolonged exposure above the level could lead to adverse health effects.

Cobalt: Naturally-occurring element found in the earth's crust and at low concentrations in seawater, and in some surface and ground water; cobaltous chloride was formerly used in medicine and as a germicide. Varying amounts of exposure above the level could lead to adverse health effects.

PFOS: Surfactant or emulsifier; used in fire-fighting foam, circuit board etching acids, alkaline cleaners, floor polish, and as a pesticide active ingredient for insect bait traps; U.S. manufacture of PFOS phased out in 2002; however, PFOS still generated incidentally. Prolonged exposure above the level could lead to adverse health effects.

1,4-dioxane:Possible carcinogen that attacks the nasal cavity, kidney and liver. A clear liquid that dissolves in water and is used primarily as a manufacturing solvent, although it can also be found in personal care items such as soap. Of 1,062 tests nationwide that exceeded the level, 221, or 20 percent, were on Long Island. Prolonged exposure above the level could lead to one additional cancer case per 1 million population.

1,2,3-trichloropropane:Used as an ingredient in paint, varnish remover, solvents and degreasing agents. Prolonged exposure above the level could lead to one additional cancer case per 1 million population.

Chromium: Naturally occurring element found in rocks, animals, plants and soil, it is used for making steel. Acute animal tests have shown chromium (III) to have moderate toxicity from oral exposure.

Strontium: Naturally occurring element used commercially in faceplates for CRT televisions. Exposure to prolonged stable strontium can lead to impaired bone grown in children.

Vanadium: Naturally occurring compound used in the production of steel, it has been linked to nausea, mild diarrhea, and stomach cramps.

1,1-dichloroethane: 1,1-Dichloroethane is a solvent used in the manufacture of the solvent TCE. It is also used in the manufacture of plastic wrap, adhesives, and synthetic fiber. The EPA has determined that 1,1-dichloroethane is a possible human carcinogen, although the Department of Health and Human Services has not evaluated its carcinogenic potential.

17-beta-estradiol: Listed in the Fourth Annual Report on Carcinogens in 1985 as reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.

Estrone: Estrogenic hormone naturally produced in the human body; and used in veterinary and human pharmaceuticals.

Equilin: Estrogenic hormone derived from horses; and used in pharmaceuticals.

Bromomethane: Occurs as a gas, and used as a fumigant on soil before planting, on crops after harvest, on vehicles and buildings, and for other specialized purposes.

Halon 1011: Used as a fire-extinguishing fluid, an explosive suppressant, and as a solvent in the manufacturing of pesticides.

Chloromethane: Used as foaming agent, in production of other substances, and byproduct that can form when chlorine is used to disinfect drinking water. It is a halogenated alkane.

1,3-butadiene: Alkene. Used in rubber manufacturing and occurs as a gas.

Estriol: Estrogenic hormone naturally produced in the human body; and used in veterinary and human pharmaceuticals.

Molybdenum: Naturally-occurring element found in ores and present in plants, animals and bacteria; commonly used form molybdenum trioxide used as a chemical reagent.

PFOA: Perfluorinated aliphatic carboxylic acid; used for its emulsifier and surfactant properties in or as fluoropolymers (such as Teflon), fire-fighting foams, cleaners, cosmetics, greases and lubricants, paints, polishes, adhesives and photographic films.

17-alpha-ethynylestradiol: Listed in the Fourth Annual Report on Carcinogens in 1985 as reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.

HCFC-22: Used as a refrigerant, as a low-temperature solvent, and in fluorocarbon resins, especially tetrafluoroethylene polymers. It is chlorofluorocarbon and occurs as a gas.

Hexavalent chromium: Used in chrome-plating, dyes, pigments, tanning leather and preserving wood, it can cause lung cancer, stomach tumors and skin ulcers. The government has set no threshold for dangerous exposure. It was detected in 1,247 tests on Long Island.

PFNA: Manmade chemical; used in products to make them stain, grease, heat and water resistant.

PFHpA: Manmade chemical; used in products to make them stain, grease, heat and water resistant.

PFHxS: Manmade chemical; used in products to make them stain, grease, heat and water resistant.

4-androstene-3,17-dione: Steroidal hormone naturally produced in the human body and used as an anabolic steroid and a dietary supplement.

PFBS: Manmade chemical; used in products to make them stain, grease, heat and water resistant.

Testosterone: Androgenic steroid naturally produced in the human body; and used in pharmaceuticals.

Contaminant

Clear Search
Water provider Contaminant Test result Amount found PPB Health limit PPB Collection date
Water provider Suffolk County Water Authority, Area 4 Contaminant molybdenum Test result Less than minimum level Amount found PPB Below minimum detectable Health limit PPB 40 Collection date 11/06/2013
Water provider Suffolk County Water Authority, Area 4 Contaminant vanadium Test result Less than minimum level Amount found PPB Below minimum detectable Health limit PPB 21 Collection date 11/06/2013
Water provider Suffolk County Water Authority, Area 4 Contaminant 1,4-dioxane Test result Less than minimum level Amount found PPB Below minimum detectable Health limit PPB 0.35 Collection date 11/06/2013
Water provider Suffolk County Water Authority, Area 4 Contaminant chloromethane Test result Less than minimum level Amount found PPB Below minimum detectable Health limit PPB 2.69 Collection date 11/06/2013
Water provider Suffolk County Water Authority, Area 4 Contaminant bromomethane Test result Less than minimum level Amount found PPB Below minimum detectable Health limit PPB 140 Collection date 11/06/2013
Water provider Suffolk County Water Authority, Area 4 Contaminant 1,2,3-trichloropropane Test result Less than minimum level Amount found PPB Below minimum detectable Health limit PPB 0.0004 Collection date 11/06/2013
Water provider Suffolk County Water Authority, Area 4 Contaminant Halon 1011 Test result Less than minimum level Amount found PPB Below minimum detectable Health limit PPB 90 Collection date 11/06/2013
Water provider Suffolk County Water Authority, Area 4 Contaminant chlorate Test result Detected but below health limit Amount found PPB 70 Health limit PPB 210 Collection date 11/06/2013
Water provider Suffolk County Water Authority, Area 4 Contaminant HCFC-22 Test result Less than minimum level Amount found PPB Below minimum detectable Health limit PPB N/A Collection date 11/06/2013
Water provider Suffolk County Water Authority, Area 4 Contaminant PFOA Test result Less than minimum level Amount found PPB Below minimum detectable Health limit PPB 0.07 Collection date 11/06/2013
Water provider Suffolk County Water Authority, Area 4 Contaminant PFBS Test result Less than minimum level Amount found PPB Below minimum detectable Health limit PPB N/A Collection date 11/06/2013
Water provider Suffolk County Water Authority, Area 4 Contaminant Hexavalent chromium Test result Detected; no health limit Amount found PPB 0.071 Health limit PPB N/A Collection date 11/06/2013
Water provider Suffolk County Water Authority, Area 4 Contaminant PFHxS Test result Less than minimum level Amount found PPB Below minimum detectable Health limit PPB N/A Collection date 11/06/2013
Water provider Suffolk County Water Authority, Area 4 Contaminant strontium Test result Detected but below health limit Amount found PPB 1.19 Health limit PPB 1500 Collection date 11/06/2013
Water provider Suffolk County Water Authority, Area 4 Contaminant PFOS Test result Less than minimum level Amount found PPB Below minimum detectable Health limit PPB 0.07 Collection date 11/06/2013
Water provider Suffolk County Water Authority, Area 4 Contaminant 1,1-dichloroethane Test result Less than minimum level Amount found PPB Below minimum detectable Health limit PPB 6.14 Collection date 11/06/2013
Water provider Suffolk County Water Authority, Area 4 Contaminant 17-alpha-ethynylestradiol Test result Less than minimum level Amount found PPB Below minimum detectable Health limit PPB 0.035 Collection date 11/06/2013
Water provider Suffolk County Water Authority, Area 4 Contaminant equilin Test result Less than minimum level Amount found PPB Below minimum detectable Health limit PPB 0.35 Collection date 11/06/2013
Water provider Suffolk County Water Authority, Area 4 Contaminant estriol Test result Less than minimum level Amount found PPB Below minimum detectable Health limit PPB 0.35 Collection date 11/06/2013
Water provider Suffolk County Water Authority, Area 4 Contaminant 4-androstene-3,17-dione Test result Less than minimum level Amount found PPB Below minimum detectable Health limit PPB N/A Collection date 11/06/2013
Water provider Suffolk County Water Authority, Area 4 Contaminant testosterone Test result Less than minimum level Amount found PPB Below minimum detectable Health limit PPB N/A Collection date 11/06/2013
Water provider Suffolk County Water Authority, Area 4 Contaminant estrone Test result Less than minimum level Amount found PPB Below minimum detectable Health limit PPB 0.35 Collection date 11/06/2013
Water provider Suffolk County Water Authority, Area 4 Contaminant 1,3-butadiene Test result Less than minimum level Amount found PPB Below minimum detectable Health limit PPB 0.0103 Collection date 11/06/2013
Water provider Suffolk County Water Authority, Area 4 Contaminant 17-beta-estradiol Test result Less than minimum level Amount found PPB Below minimum detectable Health limit PPB 0.0009 Collection date 11/06/2013
Water provider Suffolk County Water Authority, Area 4 Contaminant PFHxS Test result Less than minimum level Amount found PPB Below minimum detectable Health limit PPB N/A Collection date 05/01/2013
Water provider Suffolk County Water Authority, Area 54 Contaminant equilin Test result Less than minimum level Amount found PPB Below minimum detectable Health limit PPB 0.35 Collection date 05/14/2014
Water provider Suffolk County Water Authority, Area 4 Contaminant PFHpA Test result Less than minimum level Amount found PPB Below minimum detectable Health limit PPB N/A Collection date 11/06/2013
Water provider Suffolk County Water Authority, Area 12 Contaminant 1,3-butadiene Test result Less than minimum level Amount found PPB Below minimum detectable Health limit PPB 0.0103 Collection date 11/20/2013
Water provider Suffolk County Water Authority, Area 12 Contaminant 17-beta-estradiol Test result Less than minimum level Amount found PPB Below minimum detectable Health limit PPB 0.0009 Collection date 11/20/2013
Water provider Suffolk County Water Authority, Area 12 Contaminant chromium Test result Less than minimum level Amount found PPB Below minimum detectable Health limit PPB 100 Collection date 11/20/2013
Water provider Suffolk County Water Authority, Area 12 Contaminant 17-alpha-ethynylestradiol Test result Less than minimum level Amount found PPB Below minimum detectable Health limit PPB 0.035 Collection date 11/20/2013
Water provider Suffolk County Water Authority, Area 12 Contaminant equilin Test result Less than minimum level Amount found PPB Below minimum detectable Health limit PPB 0.35 Collection date 11/20/2013
Water provider Suffolk County Water Authority, Area 12 Contaminant estriol Test result Less than minimum level Amount found PPB Below minimum detectable Health limit PPB 0.35 Collection date 11/20/2013
Water provider Suffolk County Water Authority, Area 12 Contaminant 4-androstene-3,17-dione Test result Less than minimum level Amount found PPB Below minimum detectable Health limit PPB N/A Collection date 11/20/2013
Water provider Suffolk County Water Authority, Area 12 Contaminant testosterone Test result Less than minimum level Amount found PPB Below minimum detectable Health limit PPB N/A Collection date 11/20/2013
Water provider Suffolk County Water Authority, Area 12 Contaminant vanadium Test result Less than minimum level Amount found PPB Below minimum detectable Health limit PPB 21 Collection date 11/20/2013
Water provider Suffolk County Water Authority, Area 12 Contaminant PFHpA Test result Less than minimum level Amount found PPB Below minimum detectable Health limit PPB N/A Collection date 11/20/2013
Water provider Suffolk County Water Authority, Area 12 Contaminant 1,4-dioxane Test result Detected at or above health limit Amount found PPB 0.4 Health limit PPB 0.35 Collection date 11/20/2013
Water provider Suffolk County Water Authority, Area 12 Contaminant chloromethane Test result Less than minimum level Amount found PPB Below minimum detectable Health limit PPB 2.69 Collection date 11/20/2013
Water provider Suffolk County Water Authority, Area 12 Contaminant bromomethane Test result Less than minimum level Amount found PPB Below minimum detectable Health limit PPB 140 Collection date 11/20/2013
Water provider Suffolk County Water Authority, Area 4 Contaminant cobalt Test result Less than minimum level Amount found PPB Below minimum detectable Health limit PPB 70 Collection date 11/06/2013
Water provider Suffolk County Water Authority, Area 12 Contaminant Halon 1011 Test result Less than minimum level Amount found PPB Below minimum detectable Health limit PPB 90 Collection date 11/20/2013
Water provider Suffolk County Water Authority, Area 4 Contaminant PFNA Test result Less than minimum level Amount found PPB Below minimum detectable Health limit PPB N/A Collection date 05/01/2013
Water provider Suffolk County Water Authority, Area 12 Contaminant estrone Test result Less than minimum level Amount found PPB Below minimum detectable Health limit PPB 0.35 Collection date 11/20/2013
Water provider Suffolk County Water Authority, Area 12 Contaminant PFBS Test result Less than minimum level Amount found PPB Below minimum detectable Health limit PPB N/A Collection date 11/20/2013
Water provider Suffolk County Water Authority, Area 12 Contaminant Hexavalent chromium Test result Detected; no health limit Amount found PPB 0.17 Health limit PPB N/A Collection date 11/20/2013
Water provider Suffolk County Water Authority, Area 12 Contaminant PFHxS Test result Less than minimum level Amount found PPB Below minimum detectable Health limit PPB N/A Collection date 11/20/2013
Water provider Suffolk County Water Authority, Area 12 Contaminant PFNA Test result Less than minimum level Amount found PPB Below minimum detectable Health limit PPB N/A Collection date 11/20/2013
Water provider Suffolk County Water Authority, Area 12 Contaminant PFOS Test result Less than minimum level Amount found PPB Below minimum detectable Health limit PPB 0.07 Collection date 11/20/2013
Water provider Suffolk County Water Authority, Area 12 Contaminant PFOA Test result Less than minimum level Amount found PPB Below minimum detectable Health limit PPB 0.07 Collection date 11/20/2013

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