Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Things To Learn About Water Testing Kits

By Judy Sullivan


Water testing kits are very important appliances that every household should probably have. This kit is used in the testing of various properties to prevent possible poisoning or other health problems especially to pregnant ladies and little babies. They are cheap and easily accessible from shops and stores that stock related products. The low-end models can go for as little as ten US Dollars.

Public water suppliers are needed by most government authorities to have their waters tested for various pollutants and test results provided to customers annually. Private supplies however are primarily the responsibility of property owners and there are no rules that require individuals to have their wells assessed. Even with no rules demanding for assessment of private water sources, an individual must take the initiative to make sure that it is performed at least ones yearly or unless there is some pressing emergency for doing 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 major indicators are odor and color. The color can be observed by the naked eye while the smell can be smelled using the nose. Color problems are indicated by the waters appearing frothy, cloudy, or not clear. The odor depends on the type of contaminant that is present at the source. Treatment equipment that wear off so fast could indicate that the pH is not set at the right value.

Babies and pregnant ladies are the most vulnerable for being affected by contaminants especially nitrates because of several reasons. Well or tap waters should be analyzed for nitrates before the baby is delivered, after birth, and regularly until six months are over. Exposure to nitrates by babies causes methemoglobinemia, which is the blood disorder that affects hemoglobin. The disorder causes supply of oxygen in blood to reduce to dangerously low levels.

Water testing kits appear in a broad variety to suit various environments. They appear in different colors and shapes for people to select according to their requirements. Most of them are inexpensive.




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