Below please find a very simplified table of potential symptoms and testing methods for several contaminants which sometimes wind up in drinking water. This list in no way, shape or form represents the total number of potential drinking water contaminants. For a ‘complete’ list of water contaminants and their potential effects on human health, plese refer to the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s SafeWater Web Site.
Symptom | Contaminant | Water Test |
Skin Damage, Circulatory System Problems, Increased Risk of Cancer | Arsenic | Arsenic Test Kit |
Cardiovascular Problems, Reproductive Difficulties, Mammory Gland Tumors | Atrazine | WaterSafe Pesticides in Water Test Kit |
Dry Skin, Increased Risk of Cancer if Ingested | Chlorine | SenSafe Free Chlorine Check , SenSafe Total Chlorine Check , WaterWorks 2 Free & Total Chlorine |
Gastrointestinal Irritation | Copper | SenSafe Copper Check , SenSafe Heavy Metals Check |
Thyroid Damage, Nervous System Damage | Cyanide | Cyanide Emergency Test Kit |
Increased Risk of Cancer in Humans | MTBE (Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether) | Lab Testing Only |
Methemo-globulinemia | Nitrate/ Nitrite | WaterWorks Nitrate/Nitrite Test , WaterWorks Well Water Check , Complete Home Water Quality Test Kit , SenSafe Water Quality Test Kit |
Increased Risk of Cancer in Humans | Tetrachloroethylene | Lab Testing Only |
Gastrointestinal Disease | Cryptosporidium | Lab Testing Only |
Brain, Kidney, and Nervous System Damage, Lead Poisoning | Lead | WaterSafe Well Water Test Kit , WaterSafe Lead in Water , WaterSafe City Water Test Kit |
Kidney Damage | Mercury | Boris Mercury Check , SenSafe Heavy Metals Check |
Severe Diarrhea, Cramps, Convulsions / Long Term Kidney, Liver, Bone and Blood Damage | Cadmium | SenSafe Heavy Metals Check |
Metallic Taste | Iron | Total Iron Visual Test Kit , SenSafe Heavy Metals Check |