Safe Drinking Water Act Latino and African American populations are at higher risk of exposure to drinking water contaminants. Contaminants found in the drinking water of such communities include nitrates, coliform, and lead, which have been linked to cancer, reproductive health problems, gastrointestinal illness, and other health problems. One study found that levels of contaminants in the drinking water of two Nebraska Native American reservations were significantly higher than regional contaminant levels. Another study found that Latino residents in Tucson, Arizona, had higher than average levels of contaminants in their drinking water, which were linked to higher rates of cancer and neurological disorders among
Safe Drinking Water Act radium and uranium. EPA proposed regulations for radon in 1991 and 1999. Secondary drinking water standards are non-regulatory guidelines for aesthetic characteristics, including taste, color, and odor. EPA issues "health advisories" for some contaminants; some of which have not been regulated with MCLs. Health advisories provide technical information to public health officials about health effects, methods for chemical analysis, and treatment methods. The advisories are not enforceable. However, they were codified in the Safe Water Drinking Act amendments of 1996. As of 2017, health advisories have been issued for the following contaminants. The SDWA requires EPA to identify and list