Alabama Water Quality Information System

— Choose a Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) —


	1.-		Are there specific studies or specific non-regulatory recommendations on safe perchlorate consumption levels in drinking water?


	2.-		As a consumer, how will I know for certain whether my public or private drinking water contains perchlorate or not?


	3.-		Do agricultural food crops accumulate perchlorate from contaminated irrigation water?


	4.-		Do perchlorate salts occur in nature?


	5.-		Do we consume other substances in our regular diet that have the same effect as perchlorate on reduced iodide uptake?


	6.-		Does EPA's issuance of a health advisory level of 15 ug/L of perchlorate in drinking water in January of 2009 impact cleanup of perchlorate at Superfund sites?


	7.-		Does perchlorate cause cancer in humans?


	8.-		Does perchlorate tend to accumulate in the body if you drink water with a low concentration of the chemical?


	9.-		Has a safe level for perchlorate in water and food been established?


	10.-		How does perchlorate affect human health?


	11.-		How frequently has perchlorate been found in public drinking water supplies and what is the average level of contamination?


	12.-		How is perchlorate removed from water?


	13.-		How much water would an adult person have to drink per day containing the health advisory level of 15 ug/L of perchlorate in order to suffer adverse health effects?


	14.-		How will a public water system know if it has perchlorate in its water above the interim health advisory level issued by EPA in January 2009?


	15.-		If my private water source or public drinking water supply has perchlorate below the interim health advisory level of 15 �g/L and I want to reduce this to what I feel is a safer level, what should I do?


	16.-		Is biological treatment a suitable method for remediation of soil and water contaminated with perchlorate?


	17.-		Is it safe for pregnant women and children to drink perchlorate-contaminated water?


	18.-		Is perchlorate harmful to human health?


	19.-		Is showering or bathing in water contaminated with perchlorate a health threat?


	20.-		Is store-bought bottled water tested for perchlorate and considered safe from perchlorate comtamination?


	21.-		Is the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in agreement with the combined reference dose (RfD) and other protection measures set by EPA to protect the public from exposure to perchlorate in both contaminated food and drinking water?


	22.-		Should I use my tap water in preparing baby food or reconstituting my child's formula if it contains perchlorate?


	23.-		Should you avoid cooking with tap water if you suspect it contains perchlorate?


	24.-		What are some of the uses of perchlorate salts other than as a component of solid propellant for rockets?


	25.-		What are the sources for perchlorate contamination of water?


	26.-		What is being done about perchlorate contamination of water sources?


	27.-		What is perchlorate?


	28.-		What is the basis of the drinking water health advisory level of 15 ug/L for perchlorate issued by EPA in January of 2009?


	29.-		What is the primary health concern for perchlorate in the human diet?


	30.-		What is the standard for perchlorate in drinking water?

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This website was developed by the ACES Water Quality Team, under the leadership of Dr. James E. Hairston. It is funded, in part, by USDA-CSREES water quality grant support under Section 406 of the Agricultural Research, Extension and Education Reform Act of 1998.