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REPORT ON WATER AND SOIL SAMPLING -LINE CAMP PIT DRAFT PAGE 6 The OSHA exposure limit for barium sulfate dust in air is 5 to 15 milligrams of barium per cubic meter of air (5-15 mg/m3). NIOSH currently recommends that a level of 50 mg/m3 be considered immediately dangerous to life and health. This is the exposure level of barium that is likely to cause permanent health problems or death. Glossary Carcinogenicity: Ability to cause cancer. Ingesting: Taking food or drink into your body. Long- term: Lasting one year or longer. Milligram (mg): One thousandth of a gram. PPM: Parts per million. Short-term: Lasting 14 days or less. Soluble: Dissolves well in liquid. References Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). 1992. Toxicological profile for barium. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service. Where can I get more information? ATSDR can tell you where to find occupational and environmental health clinics. Their specialists can recognize, evaluate, and treat illnesses resulting from exposure to hazardous substances. You can also contact your community or state health or environmental quality department if you have any more questions or concerns. For more information, contact Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry Division of Toxicology 1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop E-29 Atlanta, GA 30333 Phone: 1-800-447-1544 FAX: 404-639-6315 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Public Health Service Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry ATSDR Information Center / ATSDRICC~cdc.gov / 1-800-447- 1544 General Barium Health Information (Creighton University, Omaha, NE): Barium is never found free in nature because of its reactivity with oxygen, water, and hydrogen gas. It must be stored under kerosene to remain pure, and decomposes by water and alcohol. Health Effects of Barium All compounds are poisonous (except barium sulfate because it does not dissolve in water). Irregular levels may cause difficulty in breathing, paralyses, increased blood pressure, heart rhythm changes, stomach irritation, muscle weakness, changes in nerve reflexes, swelling of brains and liver, and/or kidney and heart damage. Barium is not shown to cause cancer in humans. In water, the more toxic soluble barium salts are likely to be converted to insoluble salts which precipitate. Barium does not bind to most soils and may migrate to ground water. It has a low tendency to accumulate in aquatic life. Water Testing and Treatment for Barium Between 1993 and 1995, EPA required water suppliers to collect water samples once and analyze them to find out if barium was present above 2 ppm. If it was present above this level, the system must continue to monitor this contaminant. If contaminant levels are fcund to be consistently above the MCL, the water supplier must take steps to reduce the amount of barium so that it is consistently below that level. The following treatment methods have been approved by EPA for removing barium: Ion Exchange, Reverse Osmosis, Lime Softening, Electrodialysis. "' Cadmium