Among other problems, a leak in the roof was found to be a potential contaminant of samples on tables below.

But potential contaminants go beyond animal detritus.

Restriction sites unique to unwanted bands of similar size can aid in breaking up these potential contaminants.

An independent test in 2005 of 44 fish oils on the US market found all of the products passed safety standards for potential contaminants.

The samples are tested for dozens of potential contaminants - coliform bacteria, lead, copper and pesticides.

Lehrman recommends going straight to the data tables of the report, which must highlight levels of some, but not all, potential contaminants in drinking water.

E85 ethanol contains far fewer potential contaminants than found in gasoline.

There are Federal or state standards for about 80 of the potential contaminants.

For example, the agency has conducted research on skin absorption of cosmetic ingredients, tattoo inks, and potential contaminants.

In that time, EPA researchers have identified hundreds of potential contaminants to drinking water quality.