HyperSpectral Sensors for Chemical Detection

Arsenic

Sources : leaching from natural deposits, wood preservatives, pesticides, industrial deposits, petroleum production, semi conductor manufacture, coal power plants.

Health effects: serious skin problems, endocrine disruptor

Cancer -skin, bladder lung, kidney, liver, prostate

MCL : .020mg/L/10 ppm,

Barium

Sources: mineral deposits, disposal of drilling wastes, smelting of copper, motor vehicle parts manufacturing

Health effects: Difficulties in breathing, increased blood pressure, changes in heart rhythm, stomach irritation, brain swelling, muscle weakness, damage to the liver kidney, heart, and spleen.

MCL : 2 mg/L MCL

Mercury

Sources: Breathing mercury vapours in air realise of mercury from dental and medical treatments, combustion of fossil fuels and other industrial release

Health effects: Effects on brain functioning result in irritability, shyness, tremors, changes in vision or hearing and memory problems

Cadmium

Sources: corrosion of galvanised pipes, erosion of natural deposits, discharge from metal refineries, run off from waste batteries and paint

Health effects: Short term: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle cramp, sensory disturbances, liver injury, convolusions, shock and renal failure.

Long term: kidney, liver, bone and blood damage

Chromium

Sources: Trivalent chromium is naturally occurring - found in rocks and soil. used to make bricks, metal alloys and chemical compounds

Health risk; nausea, gastrointestinal problems, stomach ulcers, skin ulcers, allergic reactions, kidney and liver damage, reporuductive problems, lung and nasal cancer

MCL : 3 mg/l

Manganese

Sources: Naturally found in rocks and soil.

Health effects

Long term: Problems with memory, attention and motor skills.

Learning disabilities in children

Copper

Sources: industrial discharges, copper slats used for algae control in reservoirs, coppor plumbing materials due to corrosion

Health effects: acute copper poisoning: leads to nausea, diarrhoea, gastrointestinal illness, abdominal pain and muscle pain

Lead

Sources: lead service lines, lead containing solder, brass fittings, Industrial proceses, mines and smelting

Health effects: Reduced intelligence, impaired hearing and decreased growth in children,

Damage to the brain, kidneys and bone marrow Damage to nervous system and red blood cells

Perchlorate

Sources: inorganic chemicals used in the manufacturing of the fireworks, explosives, and rocket propellants. Low levels may naturally occur as well.

Health effects: inhibits the absorption of iodine by thyroid glands, leading to developmental and learning disabilities in children

15 ug/l

Picks

• Arsenic

• Cadmium

• Lead