Barium
Category: inorganic
EPA MCL
2 mg/L
Status
EPA Regulated
NSF Standard
NSF/ANSI 58
Health Effects
Increased blood pressure with long-term exposure. Gastrointestinal disturbances with short-term exposure. Potentially harmful to the heart and cardiovascular system at elevated levels.
Where It Comes From
Discharge of drilling wastes, discharge from metal refineries, and erosion of natural deposits (barite and other barium minerals).
Where It's Commonly Found
Areas near oil and gas drilling operations, metal refineries, and regions with naturally barium-rich geological formations.
Relatively uncommon at MCL-exceeding levels in public water systems. More of a concern for private wells in certain geological areas.
How to Remove It
Effective Technologies
- reverse osmosis
- ion exchange
- distillation
- water softener
Does NOT Remove It
- activated carbon
- carbon block
- UV
- mechanical filtration
Filters That Address Barium
2 filters in our database list Barium reduction.
iSpring RCC7AK
under sink ro
$198
$81/yr filters
Price checked Apr 2026
Brondell Circle RC100
under sink ro
$359.99
$205/yr filters
Price checked Apr 2026
Official Sources
Related Contaminants
Learn More
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Enter Your ZIP Code →Informational guidance based on EPA data and NSF standards - not medical advice.