The Potakit includes tests for ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, fluoride and arsenic.   These chemicals are often present in well and surface water, either naturally occurring or from anthropogenic sources.  Long-term exposure to these can result in serious health problems:

• Arsenic occurs naturally, due to geologic conditions (in Bangladesh, Nepal, and many other areas). Long-term exposure to arsenicvia drinking water can lead to skin problems, circulatory diseases and skin, bladder, kidney and lung cancers.
• Fluoride occurs naturally in fluoride belts at the foot of high mountains. It causesfluorosis which causes tooth defects in children (dental fluorosis) and stiffness and pain in the joints (skeletal fluorosis)
• Nitrate and Nitrite occur in water most often as a consequence of fertiliser use. Nitrate causes defects in haemoglobin production especially in children (methaemoglobinaemia or ‘blue baby syndrome’). It can also have carcinogenic effects and cause birth defects.  Nitrite causes similar issues as it is readily converted to Nitrate or Nitrosamines.
• Ammonia can cause gastrointestinal problems and is also a concern if the water is to be chlorinated as chloramines can form from the reaction of chlorine and ammonia. Some chloramines can cause respiratory issues.  Vulnerable groups including pregnant woman and infants may be more susceptible to chloramines.

The Potakit therefore, also includes tests for free and total chlorine for monitoring the effectiveness of chlorination and controlling the levels of chloramines.