Some areas in Oregon have high levels of boron in the soil. Excess boron exposure is a health risk especially to infants, children and pregnant women. Boron compounds are odorless and tasteless. The only way to know if it is in your drinking water is testing.
What is boron?
Boron is a naturally-occurring element found in rocks, soil, and water. It is usually combined with oxygen to make a compound such as boric acid, borax, boron oxide. These compounds are odorless.
Boron can get into drinking water from man-made sources such as industrial wastewater, municipal sewage. Burning of coal in power plants, chemical plants, and manufacturing facilities releases boron into the air. Naturally-occurring sources include rocks and soil weathering and soil run-off.
Is boron harmful to humans?
Yes! Exposure to large amounts of boron over short periods of time can affect the stomach, intestines, liver, kidney, and brain and can eventually lead to death.
Fortunately, most drinking water samples in the USA have concentrations of .4 mg/L or less, a safe level. However, it is known that some areas in Oregon, including Jackson and Josephine counties, have high concentrations of boron in the soil. To be safest, test your well water for elevated levels of boron.
Higher risk for babies and pregnant women
Boron overdose is especially dangerous for infants and children and can harm a developing fetus. Water containing high levels of boron should not be used to prepare food or formula for infants and children. Children should also be discouraged from eating contaminated soil.
How will I know if I have boron in my drinking water?
The only way to know if your drinking water contains high levels of boron is to test it.
How can boron be removed if it gets in my drinking water?
Pure Water Solutions specializes water purification treatments including treatments that reliably remove boron from your drinking water. We offer free water testing as well as the more thorough, low cost Top 50 Water Lab Test.
If you are concerned about boron in your water, please contact Pure Water Solutions for a FREE Water Analysis.
Call Pure Water Solutions
We’ll test your water for boron and other contaminants.
541-890-2751
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