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Heavy Metals

While some are essential to our chemical makeup, others are dangerously harmful, so which is which?

Helpful or Harmless, which Heavy Metals do what?

Some naturally occurring metals are essential for human development, they are commonly found in many foods and water, and contribute to a healthy body when consumed at normal levels. Others are potentially hazardous, and even some that are less harmful can become harmful at high volumes.


Some metals do not occur in significant quantities under normal or "organic" conditions, but are instead the result of industrial activity or byproducts. These are generally not the sorts of things you would want to consume and should be addressed if they are found in your water.


Below are some of the more commonly found metals that can cause issues in a homeowners drinking water. As always, we highly recommend that anyone who thinks they may be experiencing water issues get a lab test done to help them identify serious issues.

  • Heavy Metals are sometimes found in water supplies

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  • Metals and naturally eroding deposits can be quite common on some water tables.

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Common in Ground Water:

  • Arsenic

    Arsenic is a natural element that can combine with other elements to create  dangerous compounds. Events like mining or industrial digging can be the catalyst for these combinations. Water and contaminated soil are the places where inorganic arsenic are commonly found. 


    Symptoms of consumption range from nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea to dehydration and shock. Long-term exposure is associated with certain medical conditions including skin disorders, an increased risk for diabetes, high blood pressure, and several types of cancer.


  • Lead

    Drinking water contaminated with Lead is a time old tale, and something that a lot of homeowners are already aware of, since knowledge about the dangers are fairly well spread and . Although regulations of the past few decades have curbed this problem, it is still a fairly frequent occurrence. Many older homes and long-standing infrastructure still have some lead in their construction to this day.


    Health risk can be severe since there is really no healthy or acceptable level of lead in the blood, unlike many other metals that occur naturally in small quantities. Health risks here are worse for infants and children, which have been linked to a variety of developmental issues.

  • Copper

    Copper has a similar track and impact to groundwater that lead does, being it comes from erosion, general plumbing and piping in industrial areas.


    Short term effects include some gastrointestinal issues, but long-term exposure can lead to more severe effects including liver and kidney damage.This is one that is recommended on lab tests where possible, since lots of homes have copper pipes in them. 

  • Manganese

    Manganese is less harmful than many other metals, but when encountered in large quantities it can become hazardous. Manganese can sometimes be identified by an odd taste or even from unusual laundry stains. 


    Continued exposure to manganese consumption can cause motor function issues in adults and is generally considered to be more harmful for infants, where developmental problems have been known to occur.

Natural Erosion:

  • Asbestos

    Trace amounts of asbestos are present in nearly all water tables, and it is widely accepted to be at higher levels today than in years past. At low levels the asbestos is relatively harmless , but can be very toxic when concentrated. 


    Water consumption is not the most common form of inhaling asbestos fibers but it does happen, and is generally considered to be carcinogens. Consumption of asbestos has been closely related to mesothelioma specifically.


  • Barium

    Barium is a naturally occurring element that is present in our bodies in trace amounts. As with many other minerals and metals, it only becomes a problem when consumed in abnormal quantities. Certain chemical reactions cause "Barite" to change composition, which is when it becomes an issue.


    Although it is not known to be carcinogenic, it runs the gambit for other health issues including damage to the heart, kidneys, spleen, respiratory system and general immune system issues.

  • Chromium

    Chromium has many forms and variations, most of which are present naturally and are not particularly harmful to humans. Chromium-6 is the one that is potentially harmful, and although it can occur naturally, it is generally viewed as an industrial byproduct.


    Chromium has been directly linked to many stomach and gastrointestinal issues including stomach cancer. 

  • Fluoride

    The deliberate inclusion of fluoride in municipal water is a subject of much debate. The justification is that trace amounts of fluoride are good for your bones and teeth. The inclusion of fluoride in public water started in 1945 and is still being done to this day. 


    If fluoride is consumed in high levels it can lead to fluorosis, arthritis, osteoporosis and other joint related issues. Because of the potential exposure, many homeowners would prefer that the fluoride be filtered out of their municipal water.

The Solution to Heavy Metals:

Sanitizer and R.O.

The problem of heavy metals is a tricky one, since certain deposits require a more specialized solution. Sanitizers are particularly effective for Iron and Manganese which are two of the more common heavy metals a homeowner will encounter. A Sanitizer will also balance the pH levels in your water which should be helpful for other issues as well.


Other issues such as lead, arsenic and even fluoride are effectively addressed by an R.O. system. Reverse Osmosis is a relatively new process on the water treatment timeline, only becoming prominent in the early 2000's. Part of what made it into a household name is its broad effective application, an R.O. is almost always a good idea for homeowners with questionable water.


If you're searching for a water purification specialist and live in either New York or Pennsylvania, then we can provide you with a free in-home water test to help you determine your water conditions and the recommended treatment methods.

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Treating metals can be tricky, but the most common solutions will be a Sanitizer and an R.O.