INORGANIC CONTAMINANTS IN DRINKING-WATER CORRELATED WITH DISEASE OCCURRENCE IN NEBRASKA

Levels of nitrate and other inorganic contaminants in the drinking water of 453 Nebraska communities in 1986 were compared with health data for counties in which these communities were located. Data used included death rates per 100,000 population from heart disease, cancer, cerebrovascular disease, pneumonia and chronic lung disease, plus the rate of birth defects. Water samples from 42 communities exceeded the 0.01 mg/liter state and federal standards for selenium while 19 exceeded the 10 mg/liter NO3-N standard. Statistical analysis using Pearson's correlation coefficient method showed no significant relationship between nitrate or selenium and any of the health effects studied. Only barium, fluoride, and chromium were weakly but significantly (P < 0.05) correlated to one or more of the health effects. Approximately one-third of the water samples high in NO3-N also had high levels of selenium. In some communities, the presence of nitrate also signaled the presence of barium, chromium, or arsenic. Results appear to indicate no immediate health risks related to levels of nitrate, selenium, or other inorganic contaminants in Nebraska drinking water. However, this type of statistical analysis cannot be interpreted as proving or disproving a cause and effect relationship.