What is iron?
Iron is a type of mineral. (1)
Iron is a type of water contaminant. (2)
Iron is a type of secondary contaminant. (2)
Where is iron located? / What contains iron?
Iron makes up at least 5% of the crust of the Earth. (3)
located in hemoglobin
Although Iron may be present in drinking water, iron is seldom found at concentrations greater than 10 milligrams per liter (mg/L) or 10 parts per million. (3)
Most tap water in the USA supplies approximately 5% of the dietary requirement for iron. (3)
Iron is mainly present in water in two forms: either the soluble ferrous iron, or the insoluble ferric iron. (3)
What foods contain iron?
What are types of iron?
Rainwater as it infiltrates the soil and underlying geologic formations dissolves iron, causing it to seep into aquifers that serve as sources of groundwater for wells. (3)
Iron and Humans
What does iron do, in humans?
Iron helps transport oxygen in the blood. (3)
What is the RDA for iron for humans?
Iron is not hazardous to health, but is considered a secondary or aesthetic contaminant. (3)
Resources
1. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/iron/
2. https://waterdefense.org/water/contaminants/most-common-contaminants/
3. http://www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/factsheets/ironFS.htm
