A contaminant is a substance that is found where it shouldn’t be and can pollute, poison, and harm both environmental (soil, plants, air, water, and animals) and human health. Some contaminants have a long life and can spread over a wide area. Most contaminants are man-made substances (produced in factories), while some can be found naturally, like cadmium and certain metals. And whereas certain contaminants pose a harm at high levels, others can have harmful effects at low levels.
When a chemical is found in drinking water and no regulatory standards exist, the Department of Health develops Health Advisory Level (HAL)s. The HAL concentration of a chemical in drinking water is a value that, based on the available data, is virtually certain not to cause adverse human health effects if consumed over a lifetime.
Emerging Contaminants
Some contaminants present unique issues and challenges to the environmental community. These substances had not been previously detected or were found in less concentrations but are recently detected in global water sources, soil, sediment, and/or air at levels that pose a risk to the public health. Concerned chemicals can include, but are not limited to, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and herbicides.
These substances are categorized as contaminants of emerging concern or emerging contaminants. The term emerging contaminants summarizes chemicals of concern that present unique issues and challenges to the environmental community.
The following chemicals are currently shown to be of major interest:
Health Advisory Levels
A health advisory level (HAL) is developed when a chemical is found in drinking water and no regulatory standard exists for the chemical. The HAL concentration of a chemical in drinking water is a value that, based on the available data, is virtually certain not to cause adverse human health effects if consumed over a lifetime. HALs provide guidance for the public and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on the potential for these chemicals to cause harm to humans.
The maximum contaminant level (MCL) is a standard established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Safe Drinking Water Act. It represents an acceptable level of a chemical under specified conditions that ensures the safety of a public drinking water supply. MCLs are used by DEP to regulate the level of chemicals allowed in drinking water.