Determination of Metals in Drinking Water in Oldest Buildings on Campus Using ICP-AES.  Group 6:Kelly McDonald; Katie Scriven; Tyler Tokich 2007.

Abstract:

The concentrations of four metals (cadmium, copper, iron, and lead) were determined in drinking water from the three oldest buildings and the newest building on the Oregon State University campus using ICP-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy. All data was compared to the EPA’s Drinking Water Contaminant regulations. Four values were measured to be above the EPA’s specified Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL), and a student’s test was performed to see if the building with the highest concentrations of metals (Benton Hall) had statistically significantly different concentrations from the concentration in the newest building on campus (Kelley Engineering Center). The detection limits were determined and are as follows: Cd, 0.556 ±0.19 ng/Ml; Cu, 3.00±1 ng/mL; Fe, 1.85±0.62 ng/mL; Pb, 7.30±2.4 ng/mL. Benton Hall was concluded to have the highest average concentration of metals compared to other buildings tested. Four samples were found to have metal concentrations above the MCL; Benton 4 with Cd concentration of 6.945±0.121 ng/mL; Benton unknown with Fe concentration of 815.1±17.8 ng/ mL; Benton filtered unknown with Fe concentration of 777.0±6.88 ng/mL; and Women’s Center 1 with Fe concentration of 503.2±3.37 ng/mL. Large percent differences between MCLs and the concentrations exceeding the MCLs indicated a need for plumbing renovations, and is supported by the following collected data: Cd concentration in sample four from Benton Hall was 32.56% different from the MCL, Fe concentration in unknown sample from Benton Hall  was 92.39% different and , when filtered, the iron level still remained 88.58% different. Fe concentration in sample one from the Women’s Center was 50.60% different from the MCL. From data determined by a student’s test calculation, only concentrations of Cu and Fe from Benton Hall are statistically significantly different from those of Kelley. Finally, it was determined that most buildings tested have metal concentrations below the MCL and therefore meet the EPA water regulations.