A & L Laboratory now offers on-line ordering of
your water testing needs from anywhere in the USA. We
also offer an automated annual water testing program.
Payment is made through PayPal - the defacto on-line
banking service.
The most likely source of acute water-borne
disease - Bacteria and other potentially dangerous microbes
are commonly found in our environment, but they should not
be present in our drinking water. Thousands of cases of bacterial
illness occur every year, many of them fatal. Many strains
of bacteria are not toxic, but some can cause very serious
illness. Even mild cases can result in diarrhea, vomiting,
cramps, and other gastrointestinal symptoms. Young children
and those with weaker immunity are more likely to be affected.
Since contaminated water may not taste or smell "bad",
most cases of water-borne disease are not likely to be identified
as such. The presence of bacteria in drinking water indicates
that treatment methods are not working properly and are not
adequate to remove all viable microbes. When treatment fails,
drinking water may become potentially toxic. Community water
systems take steps to disinfect drinking water, but they may
not become aware of problems until it's too late.
LEAD
Lead from pipes can leach into household water
used for drinking, cooking, and washing Many homes and buildings
have pipes and plumbing fixtures that contain lead. Lead can
leach from pipes into household water, making this plumbing
a major source of water contamination and a potential source
of toxic lead poisoning. Lead is so toxic that even very low
levels may be dangerous. Lead consumption and poisoning has
been linked to many serious illnesses, especially in young
children. Lead can harm mental and physical development and
may cause brain abnormalities, kidney damage and hypertension.
As with other water contaminants, the risk of lead damage
are much greater for children than for adults --families should
be particularly concerned about the health of the water supply.
Consumers should test lead levels at each faucet in the home,
especially if the plumbing fixtures could be from the 1980's
or older.
PESTICIDES
Pesticides are deadly chemicals used to eliminate
weeds, insects and other harmful elements in crops. Their
pervasive use, however, has produced its own harm. Now it
is not uncommon to find pesticide contamination in our drinking
water. Atrazine and Simazine are two of the pesticides most
commonly found to contaminate drinking water. More than 60
million pounds of these two chemicals are introduced into
the environment each year as herbicides, and left to potentially
leak into the soil, groundwater, and the lakes and rivers
that are the sources for the water we drink. They are so toxic
that the EPA-mandated maximum level is equivalent to less
than one drop in a swimming pool. There are laws that require
the regular testing of community water supplies, but they
are, in practice, rarely tested. Now, Watersafe® brings
laboratory-level accuracy within your reach.
NITRATES &
NITRITES
A common yet incredibly harmfull pollutant especially
to children and small animals When animal and human wastes
or field fertilizers come into contact with water, they show
up as nitrates and nitrites. Both are serious contaminants
because they affect the very core of human life - birth and
the development of young life.
CHLORINE
The consumption of chlorine in very small amounts
most likely will not cause you serious harm. What may be harmful,
however, are the by-products, including chloroform, that chlorine
produces when mixed with organic matter.
HARDNESS
Water hardness is primarily caused by calcium
and magnesium compounds. These chemicals are not easily detected,
but the numerous negative effects can be unpleasant and costly.
When you have hard water it can take twice as much soap to
do your laundry.
PH
Knowing the ph level of your water can help
you prevent secondary effects. If the acidity of your water
is too high, corrosion can leach out lead from pipes and plumbing
as well as damage your water supply system and water heater.
Have questions? Need help?
We would be glad to help you; simply contact
us via our web site or call 207.784.5354. Be sure to visit our
site often to see what's new.
