What are risks from drinking water contaminants?
The risk of developing a specific disease depends on many factors: the specific contaminant, the level and potency of that contaminant, the way the contaminant enters the body (for example, drinking or showering), and the person’s individual susceptibility. Sensitive people such as the elderly, children, and pregnant women are more likely to suffer ill effects than the rest of the population. The specific health risks associated with the three contaminants presented on this website (arsenic, disinfection byproducts, and nitrate) are discussed in detail in the section for that contaminant.
