DHHS → MeCDC → Division of Public Health Systems → HETL → Water Testing → Selenium and Silver
Information
Selenium
Drinking Water Standard and Health Risks
Selenium in small amounts is beneficial to health. Levels over the primary drinking water standard of 0.01 milligrams per liter may cause nervous system disorders, skins problems and in extreme cases may be fatal.
Possible Source of Contamination
Selenium occurs naturally in drinking water, though in trace amounts only. It can also form in higher concentrations in some soils. Selenium is a by-product of copper refining.
Silver
Drinking Water Standard and Health Risks
Amounts of silver in drinking water over the drinking water standard of 0.05 milligrams per liter may cause a permanent blue-gray discoloration of eyes, skin and mucous membranes.
Possible Source of Contamination
Only trace amounts of silver are found naturally in drinking water. Silver contamination of water can be caused by disposal of industrial waste, including waste from metal plating and photographic processing industries.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR NEED ADVICE ON HOW TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, CONTACT THE HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING LABORATORY AT 287-1716.
