Vanadium
Parameter Type: Drinking Water Testing for Metals
Parameter Name: Vanadium
What it is and Where it Comes From:
Vanadium in the Periodic Table with the atomic number 23 and the symbol V. It is a solid, silvery-grey, malleable transition metal among the elements. The elemental metal is rarely found in nature, but occurs naturally in soil, water, and air. Natural sources of atmospheric vanadium include continental dust, marine aerosol, and volcanic emissions. Once vanadium is isolated artificially, the formation of an oxide layer somewhat stabilizes the free metal against further oxidation. Vanadium is used in surgical instruments, dye and color-fixer, and ceramics. The transport and partitioning of vanadium in water and soil is influenced by many factors including acidity of the water or soil and the presence of particulates. Vanadium can either be dissolved in water as ions or may become adsorbed to particulate matter. Vanadium concentrations in surface water can range from approximately 0.04 to 220 mg/L depending on geographical location. Drinking water testing gives you several benefits like peace of mind, identifying contaminants in your water, and insight into health concerns. Safe Home offers Laboratory drinking water testing kits for vanadium, allowing you to collect your water sample and ship it directly to our EPA-Certified Laboratory. This platform of drinking water testing for vanadium will give you an accurate level based on the lowest level of a parameter our instruments can detect (Method Detection Level). Safe Home drinking water testing for metals can be used for city and well water supplies. Drinking water testing should be done any time you notice a significant change in your water quality.
Health Effects:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s current reference concentration for vanadium indicates that ongoing exposure to vanadium at levels of more than 21 parts per billion per day may lead to negative health effects. Over exposure to vanadium in humans can cause nausea, mild diarrhea, and stomach cramps. Several effects have been found in animals that ingesting several vanadium compounds like decreased number in red blood cells, increased blood pressure, mild neurological effects, and developmental effects. The health effects seen in children from exposure to toxic levels of vanadium are expected to be like the effects seen in adults. We do not know if children will be more sensitive to vanadium toxicity than adults.
Solutions to Contaminant Levels:
You have completed the drinking water testing process, what Is the next step? Filtration has been shown to be effective at removing other metals from water supplies where they have been used and tested. However, there is not a device currently that has been certified to specifically remove vanadium. Ion exchange can help reduce levels of vanadium in drinking water. Ion exchange is a water treatment method where one or more undesirable ionic contaminants are removed from water by exchange with another non-objectionable, or less objectionable ionic substance. Both the contaminant and the exchanged substance must be dissolved and have the same type of electrical charge (positive or negative). A typical example of ion exchange is a process called “water softening” aiming to reduce calcium and magnesium content. Nevertheless, ion exchange is efficient in removing toxic metals from water. It is recommended to test your drinking water every one to two years. Who do I need to contact to find out more information about water quality in my area? Every community water supplier must provide an annual report to its customers, known as a Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). The report provides information on your local drinking water quality, including the water’s source, contaminants found in the water, and how consumers can get involved in protecting drinking water. How often does the local public water system preform drinking water testing? Frequency of drinking water testing depends on the number of people served, the type of water source, and types of contaminants. Certain contaminants are tested more frequently than others, as established by the Safe Drinking Water Act. You can find out about levels of regulated contaminants in your treated water for the previous calendar year in your annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR).
File Under: Metals
Drinking Water Testing - Parameter Types
Important Terms
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MCL’s (Maximum Contaminant Levels) MCL’s are levels that set by the USEPA and are enforceable to Public Water Utilities, requiring additional treatment, when the levels are exceeded. These same guidelines should be at least considered, by owners of private wells. Some states have more strict guidelines than the USEPA. Not all parameters have MCL’s. If the parameter has an MCL, it’s listed.
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MCLG’s (Maximum Contaminant Level Goals) MCLG’s are goals set by the USEPA that we should all strive for when consuming drinking water from any water supply. Concentrations of certain parameters (even below the MCL’s), are still not healthy for humans and animals to drink. These same guidelines should at least be be considered, by owners of private wells. Some states have more strict guidelines than the USEPA. Not all parameters have MCLG’s. If the parameter has an MCLG, it’s listed.
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ACTION LEVELS ACTION LEVELS are a specified concentration of a respective parameter in drinking water, that is above a “treatment level” set by the USEPA. When these levels are exceeded, further treatment and monitoring is required by the respective utility who’s water violated this limit.Action Levels apply to parameter-rules such as but not limited to the Copper/Lead Rule.
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PARTS PER MILLION (ppm) PPM is a scientific measurement which represents milligrams of the parameter being tested per liter of the respective liquid. Example: If Copper in your water supply is at a concentration of 1.00 mg/L, this is the same as saying the concentration is 1.00 ppm.
