Emerging Compounds in Drinking Water and NSF Standards

“NSF/ANSI 401:  Emerging Compounds

NSF/ANSI 401 addresses the ability of a water treatment device to remove up to 15 individual contaminants (listed below), which have been identified in published studies as occurring in drinking water. While not a public health issue, the contaminants covered in NSF/ANSI 401 have been detected in drinking water supplies at trace levels and can affect some consumers’ perception of drinking water quality. (NSF/ANSI 401 also applies to reverse osmosis (RO) water treatment.)

Prescription Drugs

  • Meprobamate: a compound found in anti-anxiety drugs.
  • Phenytoin: an anti-epileptic drug.
  • Atenolol: a beta blocker drug.
  • Carbamazepine: an anti-convulsant and mood-stabilizing drug.
  • Trimethoprim: an antibiotic medication.
  • Estrone: a prescription birth control drug.

Over-the-Counter Medications

  • Ibuprofen: an over-the-counter pain reliever and anti-inflammatory medication.
  • Naproxen: an over-the-counter pain reliever and anti-inflammatory medication.

Herbicides and Pesticides

  • DEET (N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide): a pesticide and common active ingredient in insect repellents.
  • 401: an organic compound that is widely used as an herbicide.
  • Linuron: an herbicide often used in the control of grasses and weeds.

Chemical Compounds

  • TCEP (Tris(2-chloroethyl)phosphate): a chemical compound used as a flame retardant, plasticizer and viscosity regulator in various types of polymers including polyurethanes, polyester resins and polyacrylates.
  • TCPP (Tris(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate): a chemical compound used as a flame retardant.
  • BPA (Bisphenol A): a chemical compound used as a plasticizer.
  • Nonyl phenol: a collection of compounds often used as a precursor to commercial detergents.”

Get Your Water Tested

National Testing Laboratory – Water Testing Options
Tap Score – Water Testing Options

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