Cardiovascular disease death rates in communities within elevated levels of barium in drinking water

The study reported concerns a retrospective examination of whether human cardiovascular disease death rates are significantly higher in Illinois populations ingesting more than 20 mg per litre barium in their drinking water, as compared to Illinois populations ingesting less than 02 mg per litre. The results show that 'high barium' communities did have significantly higher death rates for these diseases although the findings were not definitive enough to recommend a safe drinking water standard for barium; further study is needed to determine the maximum allowable level.