Coliforms are bacteria that are naturally present in the environment and used as an indicator that other, potentially harmful, bacteria may be present. Coliforms found in more samples than allowed is a warning of potential problems.
Not a health threat in itself; it is used to indicate whether other potentially harmful bacteria may be present5
Arsenic is a semi-metal element in the periodic table. It is odorless and tasteless. It enters drinking water supplies from natural deposits in the earth or from agricultural and industrial practices. Approximately 90 percent of industrial arsenic in the U.S. is currently used as a wood preservative, but arsenic is also used in paints, dyes, metals, drugs, soaps, and semi-conductors. Agricultural applications, mining, and smelting also contribute to arsenic releases in the environment.
Skin damage or problems with circulatory systems, and may have increased risk of getting cancer
Selenium is a metal found in natural deposits such as ores containing other elements. The greatest use of selenium compounds is in electronic and photocopier components, but they are also widely used in glass, pigments, rubber, metal alloys, textiles, petroleum, medical therapeutic agents, and photographic emulsions.
Hair or fingernail loss; numbness in fingers or toes; circulatory problems
Trihalomethanes occur when naturally-occurring organic and inorganic materials in the water react with the disinfectants, chlorine and chloramine.
Liver, kidney or central nervous system problems; increased risk of cancer
Trichloroethylene, a volatile organic chemical, is a colorless or blue liquid with a chloroform-like odor. Trichloroethylene is primarily used to remove grease from fabricated metal parts and in the production of some textiles.
Liver problems; increased risk of cancer
Nitrates and nitrites are nitrogen-oxygen chemical units which combine with various organic and inorganic compounds. The greatest use of nitrates is as a fertilizer. Once taken into the body, nitrates are converted to nitrites.
Infants below the age of six months who drink water containing nitrite in excess of the MCL could become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms include shortness of breath and blue-baby syndrome.
Tetrachloroethylene is a colorless organic liquid with a mild, chloroform-like odor. The greatest use of tetrachloroethylene is in the textile industry, and as a component of aerosol dry-cleaning products.
Liver problems; increased risk of cancer
Carbon tetrachloride is a clear heavy organic liquid with a sweet aromatic odor similar to chloroform. Most carbon tetrachloride is used to make chlorofluorocarbon propellants and refrigerants, though this has been declining steadily. It has also been used as a dry cleaning agent and fire extinguisher; in making nylons; as a solvent for rubber cement, soaps, insecticides, etc.
Liver problems; increased risk of cancer
Haloacetic acids occur when naturally-occurring organic and inorganic materials in the water react with the disinfectants, chlorine and chloramine.
Increased risk of cancer
Hexachlorobenzene, a synthetic organic chemical, is a white crystalline solid. It does not occur naturally in the environment. Currently there are no commercial uses of hexachlorobenzene in the United States. It was used as a fungicide and to make fireworks and ammunition.
Liver or kidney problems; reproductive difficulties; increased risk of cancer
Methoxychlor is a colorless organic solid with a slightly fruity odor. It is an insecticide preferred to DDT for use on animals, in animal feed, and on DDT-sensitive crops such as squash, melons, etc. Since methoxychlor is more unstable than DDT, it has less residual effect. It has been used extensively in Canada for the control of biting flies, and is also effective against mosquitoes and houseflies.
Reproductive difficulties
Diquat is an organic solid of colorless or yellow crystals. A water solution is dark red-brown. Diquat is a herbicide that has been used extensively in the United States since the late 1950s to control both crop and aquatic weeds. It is used on potatoes; as an aid in harvesting cotton, rapeseed and other oil seed crops; to wilt and dry out silage, standing hay, etc., for storage; a plant growth regulator and sugar cane-flowering suppressant.
Cataracts
Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate is a light-colored, oily liquid with an aromatic odor. Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate is used in making plastics. It is also used as a solvent; in aircraft lubricants; as a hydraulic fluid; as a plasticizer or solvent in the following cosmetics: bath oils, eye shadow, cologne, foundations, rouge, blusher, nail polish remover, moisturizers and indoor tanning preparations; in meat wrapping operations.
Weight loss, liver problems, or possible reproductive difficulties.
Atrazine is a white, crystalline solid organic compound. Atrazine is a widely used herbicide for control of broadleaf and grassy weeds. Effective in 1993, its uses were greatly restricted.
Cardiovascular system or reproductive problems
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate is the most commonly used of a group of related chemicals called phthalates or phthalic acid esters. The greatest use of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate is as a plasticizer for polyvinylchloride (PVC) and other polymers including rubber, cellulose and styrene. A number of packaging materials and tubings used in the production of foods and beverages are polyvinylchloride contaminated with phthalic aced esters, primarily di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate.
Reproductive difficulties; liver problems; increased risk of cancer
Endrin is an organic solid of odorless white crystals. Endrin is an insecticide which has been used mainly on field crops such as cotton, maize, sugarcane, rice, cereals, ornamentals, and other crops. It has also been used for grasshoppers in non-cropland and to control voles and mice in orchards. Once widely used in the United States, most uses were cancelled in 1980.
Liver problems
Heptachlor is a white to tan waxy organic solid with a camphor-like odor. Heptachlor breaks down in the environment to form heptachlor epoxide. Most uses of heptachlor to kill termites in homes and insects on far crops was canceled in 1978. The only permitted use of heptachlor products is for fire ant control in buried pad-mounted electric power transformers, and in underground cable television and telephone cable boxes.
Liver damage; increased risk of cancer
Cyanide is a carbon-nitrogen chemical unit which combines with many organic and inorganic compounds. The most commonly used form, hydrogen cyanide, is mainly used to make compounds and other synthetic fibers and resins.
Nerve damage or thyroid problems
Benzo(a)pyrene is one of a group of compounds called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. They are not produced or used commercially but are very commonly found since they are formed as a result of incomplete combustion of organic materials.
Reproductive difficulties; increased risk of cancer
Heptachlor epoxide is formed when heptachlor breaks down in the environment. Most uses of heptachlor to kill termites in homes and insects on far crops was canceled in 1978. The only permitted use of heptachlor products is for fire ant control in buried pad-mounted electric power transformers, and in underground cable television and telephone cable boxes.
Liver damage; increased risk of cancer
Hexachlorocyclopentadiene is an oily, yellow-green organic liquid with a pungent odor. It is used as a raw material in manufacturing other chemicals, including pesticides, flame retardants, resins, dyes, pharmaceuticals, plastics, etc. Hex has no end uses of its own.
Kidney or stomach problems
Simazine is an organic white solid. Simazine is used as a pre-emergence herbicide used for control of broad-leaved and grassy weeds on a variety of deep-rooted crops such as artichokes, asparagus, berry crops, broad beans, citrus, etc., and on non-crop areas such as farm ponds and fish hatcheries. Its major use is on corn where it is often combined with AAtrex. Other herbicides with which simazine is combined include: paraquat, on apples, peaches; Roundup or Oust for noncrop use; Surflan on Christmas trees; Dual on corn and ornamentals.
Problems with blood
Date Reported | Location Affected | Number of People Affected | Cause | Time Lasted |
---|---|---|---|---|
23-Feb-2023 6:56 PM | Hastings, Nebraska | Unknown | Not listed | N/A |
21-Feb-2023 10:29 PM | Hastings, Nebraska | Unknown | Not listed | N/A |
19-Feb-2023 7:57 PM | Lincoln, Nebraska | Unknown | Not listed | N/A |
19-Feb-2023 1:00 PM | Hastings, Nebraska | Unknown | Not listed | N/A |
17-Jan-2023 12:58 PM | Norfolk, Nebraska | Unknown | Not listed | N/A |