Groundwater pollutants can be either organic or inorganic.

Organic materials are composed primarily of carbon and hydrogen; they may also contain smaller amounts of chlorine, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus. Inorganic pollutants include materials such as nitrate, which can come from fertilizers or decayed organic materials; chlorides; and heavy metals, such as copper and lead. Other inorganic pollutants which take part in water pollution are: antimony, copper, mercury, nitrite lead, arsenic etc & so on. In a research which conducted by the united states government, chemical test result shows that 62 contaminants come from agriculture sector & 127 chemicals come from industrial sector. These chemicals come from different sources. As shown below in graph.

Three major inorganic pollutants The main three inorganic pollutants that reduce the quality of drinking water are copper, mercury & nitrite. If we are concerned about copper in our drinking water, have the water tested for copper by a certified laboratory. Since we cannot see, taste, or smell copper dissolved in water, testing is the only sure way of telling whether there are harmful quantities of lead in our drinking water. We should be particularly suspicious if your home has copper pipes. If we see signs of corrosion (frequent leaks, rust-colored water, stained dishes or laundry, or if our non-plastic plumbing is less than five years old. Our water supplier may have useful information, including whether the

service connector used in our home or area is made of copper. Testing is especially important in high-rise buildings where flushing might not work. When routine monitoring indicates that mercury levels are above the MCL, our water supplier must take steps to reduce the amount of mercury so that it is below that level. Water suppliers must notify their customers as soon as practical, but no later than 30 days after the system learns of the violation. Additional actions, such as providing alternative drinking water supplies, may be required to prevent serious risks to public health. When routine monitoring indicates that nitrite levels are above the MCL, our water supplier must take steps to reduce the amount of nitrite so that it is below that level. Water suppliers must notify their customers as soon as practical, but no later than 24 hours after the system learns of the violation. Additional actions, such as providing alternative drinking water supplies, may be required to prevent serious risks to public health. The research conducted by the United States government on these contaminants that shows in which quantity these are present in water. That research in graph form is as below.

The above graph taken from the research conducted by the united states government. www.ubs.usgs.gov this is reference from which data is collected.

Standard for the contaminants For Drinking water chemical standards are established by United States, the European Union, and suggested by the World Health Organization The amount of chemicals must be present in water in some quantity which is not hazardous for health. For this the standard is establish which is given below in table form. Inorganic chemicals Copper Mercury Nitrite (as N) United States (mg/l) 1.3 0.002 1 EU (mg/l) 2 0.001 0.5 WHO (mg/l) 2 0.006 3

The above table shows that the chemicals if exceed the limit given in the table or more than the amount given in the table, that can cause hazardous for human life. The above figures are collected from the research journal of encyclopedia of public health. Reference = http://www.elsevier.com/locate/permissionusematerial Effects on human health These inorganic pollutants effect on human health in different ways. Some people who drink water containing copper in excess of the action level may, with short term exposure, experience gastrointestinal distress, and with long-term exposure may experience liver or kidney damage. People with Wilson's disease should consult their personal doctor if the amount of copper in their water exceeds the action level. Those people who drink water containing mercury well in excess of the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for many years could experience kidney damage. Infants below six months who drink water containing nitrite in excess of the maximum contaminant level (MCL) could become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms include shortness of breath and blue baby syndrome.

How these inorganic pollutant enter into water There are many ways by these pollutants entered in drinking water. The major sources of copper in drinking water are corrosion of household plumbing systems; and erosion of natural deposits. Copper enters the water (leaches) through contact with the

plumbing. Copper can leach into water primarily from pipes, but fixtures and faucets (brass), and fittings can also be a source. The sources of mercury in drinking water are erosion of natural deposits; discharge from refineries and factories; runoff from landfills; and runoff from croplands. The major sources of nitrite in drinking water are runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks, sewage; and erosion of natural deposits.

All the above sources & effects of these inorganic pollutants are shown in the form of table as below: Inorganic Chemicals Contaminant Potential Health Effects from Long-Term Exposure Above the MCL (unless specified as short-term) Copper Short term exposure: Gastrointestinal distress Long term exposure: Liver or kidney damage People with Wilson's Disease should consult their personal doctor if the amount of copper in their water exceeds the action level Kidney damage

Sources of Contaminant in Drinking Water Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits

Mercury (inorganic)

Nitrite (measured as Nitrogen)

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.

Erosion of natural deposits; discharge from refineries and factories; runoff from landfills and croplands Runoff from fertilizer use; leaking from septic tanks, sewage; erosion of natural deposits

Treatment methods that can be used to reduce the risks from these pollutants: Distillation is most effective in removing inorganic compounds such as metals (copper, mercury & nitrite); hardness (calcium and magnesium); and particulates from a contaminated water supply. The boiling process also kills microorganisms such as bacteria and some viruses. The

effectiveness of distillation in removing inorganic compounds varies, depending on such chemical characteristics of the organic compound as solubility and boiling point. The following treatment method(s) have proven to be effective for removing copper to below the action level of 1.3 mg/L or 1.3 ppm: corrosion control. The following treatment method(s) have proven to be effective for removing mercury to below 0.002 mg/L or 2 ppb: coagulation/filtration, granular activated carbon, lime softening, and reverse osmosis. The following treatment method(s) have proven to be effective for removing nitrite to below 1 mg/L or 1 ppm: ion exchange, reverse osmosis. All the above measures should be taken to remove inorganic pollutants from water & only fresh && pure water should be used for drinking purposes for the sake to prevent from different diseases which causes cancer, kidney & other problem in the human body.