Beryllium

Beryllium is an inorganic metal used in the weapons, aerospace and nuclear industries, and to make metal alloys for nuclear reactors, electronic equipment and microwave ovens. It enters surface and ground water naturally through the weathering of rocks and soils, or through human activity by way of industrial discharges and, primarily, through coal and fuel oil combustion.

What are the health impacts?

Short-term: EPA has found barium to potentially cause the following health effects when people are exposed to it at levels above the maximum contaminant level for relatively short periods of time: inflammation of the lungs when inhaled; less toxic in drinking water.

Long-term: Beryllium has the potential to cause the following effects from a lifetime exposure at levels above the maximum contaminant level: damage to bones and lungs; cancer.

Currently Epic Water Filters has not tested for this contaminant but we have tested for the most common 20 heavy metals found in drinking water.