dissolved oil and grease, health concerns?
dissolved oil and grease, health concerns?
(OP)
To the experts. I recently received data back from an environmental lab for oil and grease in drinking water. They follow the EPA 1664 standard method. The data show a reporting limit of 1.26 ppm and samples as high as 2.40 ppm. No data on whether these are naturally occuring fats, polar vs. non-polar, or any other discriminating criteria. We've also be unable to find health standards or exposure limits for oil and grease in water. Can anyone point me an any particular direction. Are there particular oils we should be looking for in these or future tests? These water samples come from a shallow home well (18') and is being tested due to recent family health problems. Any help is appreciated. -aspearin





RE: dissolved oil and grease, health concerns?
Considering your project involves a private well, we would assume thre is a septic tank associated with the dwelling as well? Finding oil and grease is not a good thing and immediately would tell me that there is communication with someones septic system since there really isnt a good natural source of these compounds. If there is a natural source, it is usually animal in nature and is quickly broken down. Shallow wells are very susepticable to contamination from septic systems because of the hydrogeologic nature of the water accessed by the well. Septic waste is less dense that groundwater and will ride the top of the groundwater, flowing into shallow wells and springs. I would suggest that upon finding positive hits for oil and grease, that you test for fecal coliform to see if there is a definate link to a septic system.
If no septic system is involved, (it doesnt have to be the dwelling weptic system, it could be neighboring systems as well) then an area survey to find if there is a commercial interest contaminating the well would be another good approach.
What were the health problems documented by the family?
BobPE
RE: dissolved oil and grease, health concerns?
RE: dissolved oil and grease, health concerns?