Testing of Penn State's water supply recently revealed potentially unhealthy levels of ethylene dibromide (EDB), a chemical commonly used in gasoline.

According to a university press release, the chemical was found during routine system monitoring in October in one of the wells that provides the university's drinking water.

EDB is used mainly in gasoline mixtures, such as aviation fuel. It can also be used for making dyes and drugs, and as a pesticide.

The state drinking water standard for EDB is 0.05 parts per billion; the level found in the university's supply was 0.13 parts per billion.

According to an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fact sheet, health problems can occur if amounts greater than the EPA health standard are found in a drinking water supply.

The press release said there was no immediate risk, but according to the EPA, short-term health effects, which can occur even if a person is exposed to the chemical for relatively short time periods, include damage to the liver, kidneys, stomach and adrenal glands. Reproductive problems can also occur, especially in men.

Lifetime exposure can lead to respiratory and nervous system damage, as well as an increased risk of cancer.

The university said its water system has never contained any detectable levels of EDB other than the October sample.

The contaminated well has been located and isolated, and university officials said they have been working with the Department of Environmental Protection to determine the best way to remove the chemical. Calls made to Office of Physical Plant and the Department of Public Information were not returned.