AWWA ACE91012

Two health effects standards--ANSI/NSF Standard 60 and ANSI/NSF Standard 61--cover the health effects of drinking water treatment chemicals and system components, respectively. Standard 60 covers chemicals used for corrosion and scale control, pH adjustment, softening, precipitation, and sequestering, coagulation and flocculation, well-drilling products, disinfection and oxidation, and miscellaneous and specialty chemicals for drinking water treatment. The standard covers contaminants, but not reaction products such as disinfection byproducts. Standard 61 covers indirect additives products and materials, including process media, protective materials, joining and sealing materials, pipes and related products, and mechanical devices. A section on mechanical plumbing devices, such as faucets, is expected to be added to Standard 61 by late 1991. Standard 61 is concerned with contaminants that may leach or migrate from the product or that may support microbiological growth. Standard 61 covers not only products but components and materials as well. The NSF offers a certification program to assure compliance with the standards. In addition to providing background information on the standards, this paper discusses issues involved with particular indirect additives, for example brass faucets used in homes.