The sulfate test can be used to quickly determine the sulfate content of
drinking water, industrial waste (from galvanizing and leather industry), and
wastewater. The US EPA Secondary Drinking Water Standard is 250 mg/L (ppm). The
dip-and-read strip is decolorized by sulfate.
0, 250, >500 ppm (mg/l)
Water containing high levels of sulfates, particularly magnesium sulfate
(Epsom salts) and sodium sulfate (Glauber's salt) may have a laxative effect on
persons unaccustomed to the water. These effects vary with the person and appear
to last only until one becomes accustomed to using the water. High sulfate
content also affects the taste of water and will form a hard scale in boilers
and heat exchangers. For these reasons the upper recommended limit for sulfates
is 250 mg/L.
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