Hello
I recently moved into a new studio apartment in NYC (Brownstone, a
house with three floors, with one room on each floor).  There is a
heater which heats up the brownstone in my room.  I am concerned about
my health because I smell heating oil in my apartment.  The smell is
not that bad and I don't think I've had any health effects yet.  I
think that will be okay if I keep the windows open and the smell
doesn't get that bad.  What I am concerned about is whether the
heating oil is in the water, I read that can be even more dangerous. 
And I read on a website yesterday you can boil water to see if there
is heating oil/oil in it but I can't find that site on the internet or
that info on another site that tells you what to look for/or smell for
when you
boil the water.  What do I look for?

Hi alanrudy!

I found 2 ways for you to test your water for oil.

OIL-SCREEN-WATER - TEST KIT
http://cheiron-resources.com/
Click on PRODUCT CATALOG and scroll a bit to OIL-SCREEN-WATER.

This is made for industry, but they do offer a trial demo size for $45.00

Here's the PDF document that goes with it:
http://cheiron-resources.com/oilinh2o.pdf
The product used to be called "OIL-IN-H²O", you can see that here:
http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:uz3WPPhlLMUJ:cheiron-resources.com/Oilinwater.html+%22detect+oil+in+water%22&hl=en

Here's the contact info:

World-wide Distributors:
Cheiron Resources Ltd
1624 Crescent Rd NW 
Calgary AB Canada T2M 4B2 

Tel: 1 (403) 241-3276
Fax: 1 (403) 241-3278

http://www.cheiron-resources.com
info@cheiron-resources.com

I would call and ask them if heating oil is detected before ordering.

===================================================

Here's one more option. This one specifically mentions heating oil.

Why test for oil in water?
http://www.oakwoodlab.com/oakwdchm.htm
..."Heating oil from leaking oil tanks may seep into ground water and
contaminate the water table. One gallon of fuel oil contaminating one
million gallons of fresh water (1.0 ppm) will give it a very strong
fuel oil smell. Shallow wells are most susceptible. Cost is $95.00.
..."

Contact info:

OAKWOOD SCIENTIFIC LABORATORY
State Certified Bacteriological Water Testing
7102 Pole Green Road
Mechanicsville, VA 23116
Call: 1-800-582-5211

WIth this company, you call and they send you a bottle to fill with
YOUR water, they test it for you.  Reference:

Request Sample Bottle for Water Testing
http://www.oakwoodlab.com/oakwdbot.htm

This was interesting:

Water is the source of life and health
http://www.oakwoodlab.com/oakwdlif.htm


I hope you find this information useful, if I can help further, please
ask for a clarification!


~~Cynthia


Search terms used at Google:
"detect oil in water"

NOTE: This next search string could yeild a LOCAL certified water
testing lab, click on it and add your city:

"water testing" "heating oil" [CLICK AND ADD YOUR CITY HERE, IN THE
GOOGLE SEARCH BOX]
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22water+testing%22+%22heating+oil%22&btnG=Google+Search

---

Request for Answer Clarification by alanrudy-ga on 04 Nov 2005 16:51 PST

Good information, thank you for the help.  $95 test is pricey but
might have to do it if I can't find better, and it's for my health so
the money is worth it.  So, you didn't find anything about my specific
question about what I look for/smell for when I boil water?  The info
you gave is great anyway though.

Amir

there are commercial testing kits for your water, probably not as
cheap as just boiling it though.

Really?  I checked e-bay but I only found water tests for other stuff
(nitrates, e-coli, etc, not heating oil.  Do you know where I could
get a test for what I want it for?  Thank you.  I really appreciate
your help.