{"id":113142,"date":"2021-03-05T17:56:21","date_gmt":"2021-03-05T22:56:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/savethewater.org\/?p=113142"},"modified":"2021-05-27T15:26:01","modified_gmt":"2021-05-27T19:26:01","slug":"high-levels-of-strontium-contamination","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/savethewater.org\/high-levels-of-strontium-contamination\/","title":{"rendered":"Natural Strontium Contamination in U.S. Drinking Water: A health risk"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Victor Rivera-Diaz, Staff Researcher and Writer at Save The Water\u2122 | March 5, 2021<\/p>\n

The naturally occurring metal strontium (Sr) is contaminating drinking-water wells across the United States. Among the most affected regions, central Texas and southern Florida stand out as areas with groundwater concentrations above federally recommended levels. These were the findings of a <\/span>study<\/span><\/a> by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), which reported that 2.3 million people experience natural strontium contamination in their drinking water.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Although strontium is likely safe in low amounts, it can lead to human health complications at higher exposure levels. Specifically, it can <\/span>harm bone development<\/span><\/a> by causing strontium rickets, resulting in reduced calcium in bones. Most at risk are infants, children, and adolescents. Currently, strontium is an unregulated contaminant. However, several state and federal agencies have begun to weigh in on the potential public health risks of natural strontium contamination.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A water-rock dilemma in several states<\/span><\/h2>\n

In the USGS study, MaryLynn Musgrove at the Texas Water Science Center sampled 32 primary aquifers nationwide. The study included a total of 4,824 individual samples. 99.8% of the samples contained detectable Sr levels, with an average of 225 micrograms per liter (\u03bcg\/L) of water. More alarming still, 2.3% of the samples had Sr levels above the 4,000 \u03bcg\/L limit used for health-based screening.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The 2.3% percent of samples with high strontium concentrations correspond to roughly 2.3 million people. In states such as Texas and Florida, the respective wells cluster around aquifers made of carbonate rock, which means limestone and dolostone are present. These organic minerals often contain strontium. Moreover, the interaction between flowing water and the surrounding rocks causes strontium to mix with the <\/span>groundwater<\/span><\/a> supply.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Other types of aquifers contain high strontium levels, such as those that experience a natural upward rush of deep water containing high salt levels. This phenomenon occurs in the High Plains aquifer in west Texas. In Colorado, shallow sand and gravel aquifers also <\/span>contained heightened levels<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Musgrove notes that dry areas with high agricultural output and salt in groundwater are a set of interlocking factors that lead to high natural strontium contamination.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The mystery of strontium contamination in groundwater<\/span><\/h2>\n

Human exposure to the natural form of strontium (Sr) can happen from contact with <\/span>everyday substances.<\/span><\/a> Its radioactive counterpart, Strontium-90, is typically only found near nuclear activity sites and is <\/span>currently regulated<\/span><\/a>. However, humans can safely consume low amounts of organic strontium.<\/span><\/p>\n

Unfortunately, at elevated levels, it can significantly impact bone health in infants, children, and adolescents, as well as those with preexisting bone-related conditions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Furthermore, the chemical makeup of strontium and calcium are very similar. In human bones, high strontium levels can take the place of calcium. When this happens, it can cause a condition known as \u201cstrontium rickets.\u201d This can be dangerous in the early stages of life when bone development is most critical, as it reduces the amount of calcium in bones, which can result in skeletal abnormalities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To date, strontium remains a \u201c<\/span>public health mystery<\/span><\/a>.\u201d Additional studies are needed to quantify natural strontium contamination levels across different exposure routes, including drinking water.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite the information gap, a team of Chinese researchers found that strontium concentrations were <\/span>linked<\/span><\/a> to children\u2019s rickets. They also noted that strontium is not within \u201cthe scope of supervision of drinking water in China.\u201d Like the U.S. and China, the mystery of strontium persists in most other parts of the world.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lack of regulations\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

At this time, no regulations are in place to limit the presence of strontium in groundwater supplies. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) established advisories for strontium of 4 milligrams per liter (mg\/L) of water across a person\u2019s lifetime. However, there is no strict enforcement of this estimate.<\/span><\/p>\n

In October 2014, the USEPA <\/span>indicated<\/span><\/a> that it was considering strontium for regulation under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). These regulations would establish a maximum contaminant level (MCL) for strontium in drinking water.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, on January 4, 2016, the USEPA <\/span>announced<\/span><\/a> that it would postpone its final determinations on strontium \u201cto consider additional data and decide whether there is a meaningful opportunity for health risk reduction by regulating strontium in drinking water.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2015, the USEPA <\/span>found<\/span><\/a> large amounts of strontium contamination in several sources of drinking water. In response, local water authorities sent out notices to alert community members.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Without federal regulations on strontium concentrations, states must make their own decisions on the matter.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Solutions for an unconventional risk<\/span><\/h2>\n

It is worth mentioning that high strontium concentrations in drinking water are still \u201c<\/span>relatively rare<\/span><\/a>.\u201d Additionally, conventional filtration systems are <\/span>unable to remove strontium<\/span><\/a> in drinking water. As a result, private wells are the most susceptible to strontium contamination, particularly in states such as Wisconsin.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, there are <\/span>some treatment processes<\/span><\/a> identified by the USEPA which have a 99 percent removal rate. Unfortunately, these treatment options aren\u2019t always readily available.<\/span><\/p>\n

How can I protect myself from high strontium levels?<\/span><\/h2>\n

If you live in an area affected by high levels of strontium contamination in groundwater or would like to stay informed on water quality near you, check out the following resources:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n