household water filters. An idea from a small town
in Germany has become an international success story.
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2,4-D - A colorless, odorless powder used as a herbicide. Exposure to high levels can cause nervous
system damage. Lifetime exposure can cause damage to the nervous system, kidneys and liver.
Alachlor รป The second most widely used herbicides used in the United States. It is an odorless white solid
that is used to control annual grasses and broadleaf weeds in crops, primarily on corn, sorghum and
soybeans with particularly heavy use on corn and soybeans in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska,
Ohio and Wisconsin. Long-term exposure to high levels can cause damage to liver, kidney, spleen, lining
of nose and eyelids. It has also been linked to cancer.
Asbestos - A fibrous mineral used in more than 3,000 different products including cement pipe often
used in distributing water to communities. Long-term exposure to high levels of asbestos can cause lung
Atrazine - A white, crystalline solid organic compound, it is a widely used herbicide. Exposure to high
levels of atrazine can cause congestion of heart, lungs and kidneys; low blood pressure; muscle spasms;
weight loss; and damage to adrenal glands. A lifetime of exposure can cause cancer, weight loss,
cardiovascular damage, retinal and some muscle degeneration.
Benzene - A clear, colorless aromatic liquid. Used as a building block for making plastics, rubber, resins
and synthetic fabrics. Exposure to high levels can cause temporary nervous system disorders, immune
system depression and anemia. A lifetime of exposure can cause cancer and chromosome aberrations.
Cadmium - A metal found in natural deposits. Sometimes in drinking water due to corrosion of galvanized
pipes. Exposure to high levels can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle cramps, salivation, sensory
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