Stains + Spots
Stain + Spots – blue or green, red or orange, black or brown stains – hard water
Blue or Green Stain – copper + selenium – corroding pipes – caused by acidic water
- Harmful Effects
- Acute copper poisoning: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, gastrointestinal illness, abdominal & muscle pain.
- Severe cases of copper poisoning have led to anemia, liver poisoning, kidney failure & and even death
- Hair & fingernail changes
- Damage to the peripheral nervous system
- Treatment Options
https://www.wqa.org/Portals/0/Technical/Technical%20Fact%20Sheets/2015_Copper.pdf
https://www.wqa.org/Portals/0/Technical/Technical%20Fact%20Sheets/2015_Selenium.pdf
Red or Orange Stain – staining of fixtures and clothes, and give the water a bitter or rusty taste – caused by iron
- Harmful Effects
- Too much iron can lead to liver disease, heart problems and diabetes.
- Chronic fatigue
- Joint pain
- Abdominal painskin
- Skin & hair color changes
- Infertility
- Treatment Options
Brown Stain – caused by manganese – sour, asphaltic or greasy flavor to water
- Harmful Effects
- Diarrhea
- Upset Stomach
- Discoloration of sinks as well as clothing
- Treatment Options
Black Stain – caused by iron & sulfur or magnesium
- Harmful Effects of Sulfur (the rest as seen above)
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Treatment Options
