Abstract
Several toxic metals, commonly present in drinking water, are believed to play important roles in the development of cancerous tumors. Although the US Safe Drinking Water Act requires drinking water to meet health standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency, violations occur regularly. In this study, we have investigated the role of the two predominant toxic heavy metals identified in the drinking water sources in Tennessee: copper and lead. We have analyzed the levels of copper and lead, as well as the total water hardness among different counties of Tennessee, with different socioeconomic backgrounds. We determined that the effects of lead and copper in drinking water were random, although counties with typically lower average household incomes typically had higher levels of the metals. The contaminant levels were found to remain below the threshold established by the Environmental Protection Agency and the State of Tennessee. Water from the Cumberland River was harder than water obtained from other rivers in Tennessee. Furthermore, the total hardness of water did not correlate with the average household income of the various counties.
Highlights
Water sustains life and is essential for a healthy ecosystem, agriculture, as well as for industrial and economic growth
We have investigated the role of the two predominant toxic heavy metals identified in the drinking water sources in Tennessee: copper and lead
In this study we investigated the levels of copper and lead in the drinking water of various counties in Tennessee, as well as the total hardness of water as compared to the average household income in the different counties
Summary
Water sustains life and is essential for a healthy ecosystem, agriculture, as well as for industrial and economic growth. Clean water is essential to the health and well-being of the general populace, worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that approximately eight hundred million people still do not have access to basic drinking, clean, or advanced water sources It is estimated that approximately two billion people utilize drinking water contaminated with fecal matter. As the population continues to grow, obtaining and sustaining water quality has become a growing challenge. Water quality is compromised by many factors such as human wastes and toxic chemicals from industrial wastes, radiological wastes, and infectious agents. Infectious agents are the primary contaminants responsible for more than eight hundred thousand deaths every year, globally
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
