What types of water pollutants are there?
*There are five types of health-threatening water pollutants: Microorganisms: These include harmful bacteria, viruses and parasites. Bacteria are easily detected and killed by chlorine. Viruses are much smaller than bacteria and although chlorine will kill some viruses, it will not kill all. Toxic minerals: Mildly toxic minerals such as aluminum, arsenic, asbestos, barium, chromium, fluoride, nitrate and silver, and deadly toxins such as cadmium, lead and mercury, may be found in tap water. These minerals are inorganic and naturally present in water, but increased quantities can exist from manmade sources of pollution. Organic chemicals: These are substances that come directly from plant or animal matter including fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, paints, fuels, plastics, dyes and preservatives. According to recent research, new and dangerous chemicals have been created from chlorine combining with organic substances-forming what are called trihalomethanes (THMs). Radioactive substa
