PDS_GC_Industrial pollutants

Industrial pollutants cover a wide array of organic chemicals—including pesticides, solvents, and other industrial compounds—that may be present in water. They are mainly classified under NSF/ANSI 53, with additional chemicals from NSF/ANSI 58, 401 (non‐pharmaceuticals), and P473. Exposure to these substances has been associated with health risks like endocrine disruption, organ toxicity, and an increased risk of cancer.

Example: Benzene is reduced by over 99%, ensuring your drinking water remains safe

Below is a succinct, example-style table for each substance. “How it gets into the water” highlights common industrial or agricultural pathways, while “Potential health effects” underscores the human health concerns.

From NSF/ANSI 53

Substance How it gets into the water Potential health effects
Alachlor Herbicide runoff from crop fields May increase cancer risk and cause liver or kidney damage 
Atrazine Herbicide residue from crop spraying  May disrupt endocrine systems and affect reproduction 
Benzene Industrial discharge, leaking fuel tanks and spills  Carcinogenic, causing blood and bone marrow disorders 
Carbofuran Pesticide runoff from insecticide applications  Can affect the nervous system and may harm reproduction 
Carbon Tetrachloride Industrial solvent use and improper disposal  May damage the liver, kidneys and central nervous system 
Chlorbenzene Chemical production and industrial discharge  Can lead to liver and kidney damage upon prolonged exposure 
Chlorpicrin Used as a pesticide and fumigant leading to runoff  Can cause respiratory, eye and skin irritation 
2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) Herbicide runoff from agriculture and lawn treatments  May disrupt hormones and affect liver or kidney function 
Dibromochloropropane (DBCP) Soil fumigant leaching from treated fields  May harm reproduction and act as a potential carcinogen 
o-Dichlorobenzene Industrial discharge and solvent usage  Can cause liver and kidney damage and respiratory irritation 
p-Dichlorobenzene Used in mothballs and deodorizers as well as industrial discharge  May cause liver damage and could be carcinogenic 
1,2-Dichloroethane Emitted during PVC production and industrial discharge  Carcinogenic, affecting the nervous system and liver 
1,1-Dichloroethylene Released during plastic production and industrial processes  Can cause liver toxicity and central nervous system effects 
Cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene Forms from breakdown of chlorinated solvents and industrial spills  May result in liver toxicity and neurological issues 
Trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene Also originates from breakdown of chlorinated solvents and spills  Likely to cause liver toxicity and neurological problems 
1,2-Dichloropropane Used in chemical manufacturing and as a fumigant  May be a carcinogen and cause respiratory irritation 
Cis-1,3-Dichloropropylene Results from pesticide use and industrial runoff  Can cause respiratory or skin irritation and affect the liver 
Dinoseb Herbicide runoff from fields treated with dinoseb  May cause reproductive toxicity and trigger skin and eye irritation 
Endrin Insecticide runoff and persistent residues in soil  Neurotoxic and may lead to liver damage 
Ethylbenzene Released during petroleum refining, industrial discharge and spills  Can cause respiratory irritation and may harm the liver or kidneys 
Ethylene Dibromide (EDB) Used as a leaded gasoline additive and in fumigants  Carcinogenic and linked to reproductive toxicity 
Haloacetonitriles
(Bromochloroacetonitrile, Dibromoacetonitrile, Dichloroacetonitrile, Trichloracetonitrile)
Byproducts formed during chlorinated water disinfection  May be carcinogenic and cause irritation to eyes or skin 
Haloketones(1,1-Dichloro-2-propane, 1,1,1-Trichloro-2-propane) Byproducts from water chlorination processes  May have mutagenic effects and irritate mucous membranes 
Heptachlor From termiticide application and runoff from contaminated soil  May be carcinogenic, neurotoxic and cause liver damage 
Heptachlor Epoxide Forms as a breakdown product of heptachlor in the environment  May act as a carcinogen and cause neurotoxic effects 
Hexachlorobutadiene Chemical manufacturing, industrial waste Kidney damage, possible carcinogenicity
Hexachlorocyclopentadiene Released during chemical manufacturing and from industrial waste  Can cause kidney damage and might be carcinogenic 
Lindane Insecticide runoff and improper disposal  Neurotoxic and may disrupt endocrine function 
Methoxychlor Runoff from agricultural insecticide applications  May disrupt hormones and be reproductively toxic 
Pentachlorophenol Leaches from wood preservatives and industrial discharge  Can cause liver or kidney damage and might be carcinogenic 
Simazine Herbicide runoff from farming fields  May disrupt hormones and cause organ toxicity 
Styrene Released during plastic or resin manufacturing and industrial discharge  May affect the nervous system and could be carcinogenic 
1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane Emitted during chemical manufacturing and solvent applications  May lead to liver or kidney damage and might be carcinogenic 
Tetrachloroethylene Used as a dry cleaning solvent and in industrial discharge  May be carcinogenic and affect neurological and liver function 
Toluene From petroleum products, industrial discharge and spills  May cause neurological effects and potential reproductive harm 
2,4,5-TP (Silvex) Herbicide runoff from defoliant applications  Can cause liver or kidney damage and possible reproductive toxicity 
Tribromoacetic Acid Byproduct from chlorination during water disinfection  May be carcinogenic and irritate skin or eyes 
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene Released during solvent use and industrial discharge  Can cause liver or kidney damage and irritate skin or eyes 
1,1,1-Trichloroethane Used as an industrial solvent in degreasing operations  May depress the central nervous system and cause liver damage 
1,1,2-Trichloroethane Released as a chemical intermediate during industrial spills  Can cause liver or kidney toxicity and could be carcinogenic 
Trichloroethylene Used in metal degreasing and industrial discharge  Carcinogenic and may cause liver, kidney damage and neurotoxicity 
Trihalomethanes
(Chloroform, Bromoform, Bromodichloromethane, Chlorodibromomethane)
Formed as byproducts of chlorination in drinking water  May be carcinogenic and lead to liver or kidney issues 
Xylenes Released during petroleum refining, industrial spills and solvent use  Can affect the nervous system and lead to liver or kidney damage 


From NSF/ANSI 58 

Substance How it gets into the water Potential health effects
Fluoride Emitted from industrial processes such as aluminum smelting and phosphate fertilizer production as well as natural leaching  May cause dental and skeletal fluorosis and potential neurotoxicity at elevated exposures 
Perchlorate Released during the manufacturing of rocket fuel, explosives, and related industrial activities 

Can disrupt thyroid function leading to hormonal imbalances and metabolic effects 

Nitrate (as N) and Nitrite (as N) Primarily introduced via fertilizer runoff, animal manure, septic systems, and sewage discharges 

High concentrations in drinking water can trigger methemoglobinemia in infants and may pose reproductive or developmental risks in adults 


From NSF/ANSI 42

Substance How it gets into the water Potential health effects
Chlorine  Administered by local water systems as a disinfectant to control microbial growth      May form disinfection byproducts linked to increased cancer risk with prolonged exposure; also imparts a strong taste or odor 
Chloramine  Employed by certain water utilities either with or instead of chlorine to sustain a persistent disinfectant effect 

May irritate skin or eyes in sensitive individuals and can corrode older plumbing, potentially releasing lead or copper into tap water 

From the non‐pharmaceutical part of NSF/ANSI 401

Substance How it gets into the water Potential health effects
TCEP Industrial effluent and leaching from flame retardant-treated items  Carcinogenic properties; disrupts endocrine function and may affect reproductive or developmental health 
TCPP Industrial discharge and leaching from materials treated with flame retardants  Disrupts the endocrine system; developmental toxicity; possible carcinogenic effects 
DEET Domestic wastewater from personal usage and production discharge  May cause skin or eye irritation and neurological effects at elevated exposures 
Metolachlor Runoff from agricultural herbicide use and production discharge  Potential carcinogenicity; may cause liver toxicity and endocrine disruption 
Bisphenol A Leaching from plastics and industrial effluent  Disrupts endocrine function; can impact reproductive health 
Linuron Runoff from herbicide application in agriculture and manufacturing discharge  Disrupts endocrine function and may be carcinogenic 
Nonyl phenol Industrial effluent and wastewater from surfactant production  Interferes with endocrine function and may be toxic to reproduction 


From NSF/ANSI P473

Substance How it gets into the water Potential health effects
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) Released via industrial effluents from non-stick coatings and water repellents  Tied to developmental issues, liver damage, endocrine disruption, and possible cancer 
Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) Leaks from industrial processes, firefighting foams, and stain repellents  Associated with thyroid disruption, immune effects, developmental toxicity, and possible cancer 

 

These chemicals—whether they originate from industrial waste, pesticide use, or persistent organic pollutants—fall under the umbrella of industrial contaminants.