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Bacteria, Ammonia, Nitrate and Nitrite Water Quality Analysis Test Kit

Contaminants Tested

Ammonia

A colorless gas composed of Nitrogen and Hydrogen. Unnatural contribution to Ammonia levels in water may be due to improper septic or waste disposal.

Aesthetic Effects - Sharp Irritating odor makes water less palatable to drink.

Bacteria

This test checks for the presence of E.coli (Escherichia coli) bacteria. E.coli is a type of fecal coliform bacteria commonly found in the intestines of animals and humans and is closely associated with recent fecal contamination. During rain precipitation and water runoffs, E.coli may be washed into surface and groundwater where they can survive if the water is not treated. If any E.coli is present in the water sample, then it is likely that the water has recent sewage or animal waste contamination and may contain many types of disease causing organisms.

Health Effects - Symptoms of bacterial infection can cause diarrhea, abdominal cramps and in severe cases with children under 5 years and the elderly, some bacteria infections can cause red blood cells to be destroyed and kidneys to fail.

Nitrates/Nitrites

Nitrates and nitrites are nitrogen-oxygen chemical units which combine with various organic and inorganic compounds. Once taken into the body, nitrates are converted into nitrites. The greatest use of nitrates is as a fertilizer. Most nitrogenous materials in natural waters tend to be converted to nitrate, so all sources of combined nitrogen, particularly organic nitrogen and ammonia, should be considered as potential nitrate sources. Primary sources of organic nitrates include human sewage and livestock manure, especially from feedlots. The primary inorganic nitrates which may contaminate drinking water are potassium nitrate and ammonium nitrate both of which are widely used as fertilizers. According to the US EPA Toxics Release Inventory, releases to water and land totaled over 112 million pounds from 1991 through 1993. Since they are very soluble and do not bind to soils, nitrates have a high potential to migrate to ground water. Because they do not evaporate, nitrates/nitrites are likely to remain in water until consumed by plants or other organisms.

Health Effects - Excessive levels of nitrate above the maximum contaminant level in drinking water has caused serious illness and sometimes death from short term exposure. The serious illness in infants is due to the conversion of nitrate to nitrite by the body, which can interfere with the oxygen-carrying capacity of the child's blood. This can be an acute condition in which health deteriorates rapidly over a period of days. Symptoms include shortness of breath and blueness of the skin. Long-term exposure to excessive levels of Nitrates and Nitrites have the potential to cause diuresis, increased starchy deposits and hemorrhaging of the spleen.

Definitions

Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) - The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety and are non-enforceable public health goals.

Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) - The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology and taking cost into consideration. This is the lowest level to which water systems can reasonably be required to control this contaminant should it occur in drinking water at their customer's home taps. MCLs are enforceable standards.

Testing Procedure

Important

• Keep tests out of reach of children and pets. Do not ingest anything from this test kit. Do not drink water sample used for testing. Store and use at room temperature (60-86 F).

• Do not open packets or a vial until you are ready to perform the tests.

• Do not touch test pads.

• Do not use on hot water or water containing bleach detergents.

• Do not re-use any part of the test kit.

• Read and follow all instructions carefully.

Ammonia Instructions

1. Fill one of the supplied test vials half full with water sample.

2. Cap vial securely and shake for 15 seconds.

3. Remove cap and dip one test strip for 30 seconds with constant, gentle back and forth motion.

4. Remove test strip and match with color for Ammonia with color chart supplied with kit.

Ammonia

0 ppm	0.2 ppm	0.5 ppm	0.75 ppm	1 ppm	2 ppm	4 ppm

Nitrate/Nitrite Nitrogen Instructions

1. Dip one test strip into water sample for 2 seconds

2. Remove, wait 1 minute (2 minutes if water temperature is below 55°F), then match colors for Nitrate/Nitrite Nitrogen with provided color chart in kit.

3. Colors are stable for 2 minutes.

Total Nitrate / Nitrite

0 ppm	2.0 ppm	10 ppm	20 ppm	50 ppm

Nitrite

0 ppm	0.2 ppm	1.0 ppm	1.5 ppm	3.0 ppm

Bacteria Instructions

1. Take out the bacteria Test vial and set upright on a flat surface.

2. Collect water sample or turn on tap to a very slow stream.

3. Carefully twist off cap and fill vial to 1/2 inch below the top (to 5 ml line). DO NOT OVERFILL and DO NOT SPILL the bacterial growth powder in the vial.

4. Replace cap and twist on tightly. Shake the vial vigorously for 20 seconds.

5. Place the capped vial upright in a warm area (70-90 F) where it cannot be disturbed for 48 hrs.

6. After 48 hrs., observe the color of the liquid without opening the vial.

Bacteria Results

1. Set the vials on a white surface.

2. Look down into the vials and compare the colors.

3. If the ample vial is beige or light tan when compared to the reference vial, then a minimum of approximately 0.2 ppm of Hydrogen Sulfide is present.

4. If the sample vial is brown, Hydrogen Sulfide is present at a concentration of approximately 2.0 ppm or greater.

5. Complete the comparison within one minute.

Specifications

Test	Sensitivity	Test Range	Result Time
Ammonia	0.2 ppm	0 to 4 ppm	30 seconds
Nitrate	2.0 ppm	0 to 50 ppm	1 minute
Nitrite	0.2 ppm	0 to 3 ppm	1 minute
Bacteria	1 colony per 100 ml	present/absent	48 hours

Features

• Easy to use kit provides a convenient way to check your water for Bacteria Ammonia and Nitrate/Nitrite.

• Do-it-yourself one step test kit. Everything needed to perform and analyze the test are included.

• The tests are fast and provide you with results right at home in seconds. Bacteria test takes 48 hours.

• Tests for absence/presence of E.coli, species of salmonella, Shigella, Enterobacter, Klebsiella, coliform and non-coliform bacteria

• Clear directions, easy methods and top quality non-toxic test ingredients assure you of reliable test results.

• EPA-based, laboratory certified test kit includes:

1 - Bacteria Test

2 - Ammonia Tests

2 - Nitrate/Nitrite Tests

ITS Bacteria, Ammonia Nitrate/Nitrite & Ammonia in Water Test

Price: $9.45

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