Microbiological, Inorganic, Organic & Chemical Contaminants, with their Sources & Health Effects
| Contaminant | Source | Health Effect |
| Asbestos | Natural mineral deposits. Found in insulation, fireproofing materials, cement pipes. | Probable cause of cancer. |
| Arsenic | Defoliants, wood treatment compounds, paint and ink formulation, petroleum refining, pharmaceutical production, ore mining, foundries. | Malignant tumors of skin and lungs. Effects nervous system. |
| Barium | Natural ore found in GA, MO, AR, KY, CA, NV, Canada and Mexico. | Effects nervous system and circulatory system. |
| Benzene | Used in fuels, solvents, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, resins, and paints. | Leukemia, anemia, cancer. |
| Cadmium | Natural mineral deposits. Also found in fungicides, batteries, paint enamels. Used in textile, timber, petroleum, paint, ink, rubber, ore and pharmaceutical production. | Kidney disorders, bronchitis, anemia. |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | Used in cleaning agents, refrigerants, fumigants, propellants, resins, paint and ink manufacturing. | Effects nervous system, liver, and digestive system. Causes cancer. |
| Chlorobenzene | Used as a solvent for paint and metal manufacturing. Also used in insecticides. | Effects nervous system, liver and kidneys. |
| Chromium | Natural mineral deposits. Used in leather, tanning, iron, steel, textile, pharmaceutical, petroleum, and rubber processing. Also used in gum and wood chemicals and in foundries. | Liver and kidney disorders. Effects skin and digestive system. |
| Coliform | Raw sewage, septic tanks, animal feces. | Effects digestive tract. |
| Dichloroethane, Dichlorobenzene, Dichloropropane |
Used in manufacturing of gasoline, paint, varnish, insecticides, fumigants, waxes, resins, rubber, asphalt, moth repellant, germicides, pesticides, soil fumigants, dry cleaning fluids, and petroleum products. | Causes damage to the kidneys, liver, lungs. Can cause nausea. Effects the nervous system. Dichlorobenzene 1,4 is a probable cause of cancer. |
| Dichloroethylene | Used in Industrial solvents, in the manufacturing of dyes, plastics, perfumes, paints, adhesives, lacquers, and rubber. | Effects kidneys, liver, circulatory system, and nervous system. |
| Ethylbenzene | Used in manufacturing of gasoline, insecticides and asphalt. | Effects nervous system, liver and kidneys. |
| Lead | Solder and other plumbing products, batteries, textile mills, petroleum refining, paint, ink and rubber processing, porcelain enameling and foundries. | Effects nervous system, reproductive system, and kidneys. Causes hypertension. |
| Mercury | Found in fungicides, bactericides, antifouling paints, and mildew proofing preparations. Used in coal mining, textile mills, timber product processing, petroleum refining, rubber, paint and ink processing. | Effects nervous system and kidneys. |
| Nitrate | Fertilization, sewage, mineral deposits, feed-lot runoff. | The deadly "Blue Baby" syndrome. |
| Pesticides (Aldicarb, Carbofuran, Chlordane, Endrin, Heptachlor, Lindane, Methoxychlor, Toxaphene) | Insecticides for cotton, potatoes, corn and alfalfa. Also used as a fumigant. | Effects the nervous system, respiratory system, liver and kidneys. |
| Selenium | Natural mineral deposits. Commonly found as trace elements in animal feeds. Used in textile mills, timber processing, porcelain enameling, pharmaceutical manufacturing and foundries. | Effects nervous system. Causes irritation to the mucous membrane and dermatitis. |
| Styrene | Used in manufacturing process of plastics, resins and foams. | Effects nervous system, liver and kidneys. |
| Tetratchloroethylene, Trichloroethylene, Trichloroethane |
Used in dry cleaning, degreasing agents for metals and in manufacturing of rubber, waxes, paints, inks, adhesives, resins, oils and fumigants. | Effects nervous system. Probable cause of cancer and anesthesia. Irritant of body tissue. Can cause narcosis |
| Total Trihalomethanes (Chloroform, Bromoform, Bromodichloromethane, Dibromochloromethane) |
Forms when water containing organic matter is treated with chlorine. | Effects nervous system and muscles. Probable cause of cancer. |
| Toluene | Used in gasoline, paint, thinners, lacquers and adhesives. | Effects nervous system, kidneys, and liver. Causes narcosis. Irritant to respiratory system. |
| Vinyl Chloride | Used as a plastic adhesive and refrigerant. The main component of PVC pipe. | Effects nervous system. Probable cause of cancer. |
| Xylenes | Used in manufacturing of paint, ink, petroleum and detergents. | Effects nervous system, kidneys, lungs, liver and mucous membranes. |