What are the human and aquatic health concerns for nitrate, radon, and arsenic?
These three contaminants are basically a concern for water as opposed to sediment and for humans as opposed to other animals. Too much nitrate in drinking water can result in methemoglobinemia or blue baby syndrome, a serious and sometimes fatal reaction that affects primarily infants and others whose immune systems are compromised. Radon has been linked to lung cancer, so its presence in water is a concern largely as a source of release into the indoor atmosphere. Arsenic in drinking water has been linked to multiple health problems, including bladder, lung, and skin cancer; cardiovascular disease; diabetes; and neurological dysfunction. Federal and state drinking-water standards have been established for all three contaminants.
