Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Learn About Water Testing Kits

By Judy Sullivan


Water testing kits are very crucial appliances that all households should probably own. These kits are utilized in testing different properties to avoid poisoning or other health/medical problems particularly to babies and pregnant ladies. They are low-cost and simply available from stores that stock related items. The low-end versions can be got for as low as ten US Dollars.

All public suppliers of water are needed by government authorities to test their waters for various contaminants and test results availed to customers on an annual basis. Private supplies are on the other hand primarily the duty of property owners. There are no regulations that need individuals to test their wells. Even with no regulations demanding for yearly analysis of private waters, an individual must make sure that the testing is carried out at least ones annually or unless there are some pressing issues for analyzing more than ones.

Materials that must be tested for in wells yearly include coliform bacteria, pH, total dissolved solids, and nitrates. Others that must be tested for yearly are arsenic, pesticides, lead, and copper among others. Chlorides, manganese, corrosion, hardness, iron, and sulfates should be tested against after every 3 years. Failure to test can cause some very horrific effects on people who use or consume such waters.

Coliform is a bacteria that lives in the human intestines. Its presence in stomachs results in serious recurrent intestinal illnesses. Therefore, any kinds of stomach illnesses may be signs that the coliform bacteria has to be analyzed for its presence. In case household plumbing contains traces of lead or if plumbing system was lately replaced, repaired, or installed lead is the material to test for.

Laundry may also be of good help in establishing if there is necessity for carrying out any assessment. Normally the laundry stains after washing, which is a clear sign that iron, sulfate, manganese, and chlorides compounds are present. Hardness is shown by washing waters needing too much soap to get soapy and simple to wash with. Main compounds responsible for the hardness are normally magnesium chloride and calcium chloride.

Other main indicators are color and odor. The color may be observed by naked eyes while the smell may be smelled using the nostrils. Color problems are shown by the waters looking cloudy, frothy, or not clear. The smell depends on the kind of contaminant that is available at the source. Equipment for treatment that wear off so quickly could indicate that pH is not at the correct value.

Pregnant women and babies are the most susceptible for getting affected by contaminants particularly nitrates because of multiple reasons.Tap or well waters should be assessed for nitrates before babies are delivered, after delivery, and regularly until 6 months. If babies are exposed to nitrates, they cause methemoglobinemia, a blood disorder which affects hemoglobin. This disorder causes lowers the supply of oxygen in the blood to dangerously low levels.

Water testing kits are made in a broad of makes to suit various settings. They appear in various color shades and shapes for individuals to pick according to their diverse requirements. Many of them cost cheaply.




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