dissolved oil and grease, health concerns?

[aspearin1]

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

 

[BobPE]

aspearin1:

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

 

[aspearin1]

Cancer... and I cannot find any known carcinogens associated with oil and grease. EPA reports that there are no documented exposure limits because oil and grease are not supposed to be in water!!? Analysis is currently being performed on the volatiles and pesticides, and I'm awaiting those results. Though I wouldn't be surprised of a septic problem in this well, I don't think it's what we'll be looking for.

 

[ivanlocke]

I know there have been health problems reported in restraunt kitchens as workers inhale large amounts of oil and grease. I don't think they had cancer problems, so you may be able to rule it out (you will have to check the levels of exposure and exposure time and such). If this is the kind of oil and grease you are looking at, you may be able to find something useful looking into documentation on this (maybe osha?).