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MOLD SERVICES |
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| TESTING SERVICES |
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| ANCILLARY SERVICES |
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| INFORMATION |
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ARSENIC IN DRINKING WATER |
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Arsenic is a semi-metal element in the periodic
table. It is odorless and tasteless. It enters
drinking water supplies from natural deposits in
the earth or from agricultural and industrial
practices.
Several studies have shown that arsenic
has been linked to cancer of the bladder, lungs,
skin, kidney, nasal passages, liver, and
prostate1.
The World Health Organization (WHO), the
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS),
and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
have determined that inorganic arsenic can cause
cancer in humans.
Non-cancer effects can include
thickening and discoloration of the skin,
stomach pain, nausea, vomiting; diarrhea;
numbness in hands and feet; partial paralysis;
and blindness.
 According
to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), arsenic
can enter the water supply from natural deposits
in the earth or from industrial and agricultural
pollution. Arsenic is a natural element used for
a variety of purposes within industry and
agriculture. It is also a byproduct of copper
smelting, mining, and coal burning. Industries
in the United States release thousands of pounds
of arsenic into the environment every year. Once
released, arsenic remains in the environment for
a long time.
It is widely believed that naturally occurring
arsenic dissolves out of certain rock formations
when ground water levels drop significantly.
Surface arsenic-related pollutants enter the
ground water system by gradually moving with the
flow of ground water from rain, melting snow,
and so on.
High arsenic levels may come from certain
fertilizers, animal feedlots, and industrial
waste. High levels of arsenic found in well
water are often used to indicate improper well
construction, or the location or overuse of
chemical fertilizers or herbicides. |
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NATIONAL ARSENIC OCCURRENCE MAP |
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EPA has set the arsenic standard for drinking
water at .010 parts per million (10 parts per
billion) to protect consumers served by public
water systems from the effects of long-term,
chronic exposure to arsenic. Water systems must
comply with this standard by January 23, 2006,
providing additional protection to an estimated
13 million Americans. This map is intended to
show the general areas that are hardest hit by
the highest levels of arsenic. However, to
determine whether arsenic has been found in a
particular public water system, according to
data reported to the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, refer to the table of water
systems reported in Appendix A. The map cannot
be used by itself to identify whether a
particular water system has an arsenic problem,
because often there are several water systems
located immediately adjacent to each other, and
the map was generated at a scale that cannot be
used to identify precisely which water system
contains a given level of arsenic.
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What should I do if I have concerns about
arsenic exposure? |
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One thing you can do is have your water tested.
For AMI pricing on testing water for arsenic
call 1-800-369-8532. You should also see your
health care provider to discuss your concerns.
For more information, call the Agency for Toxic
Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR),
Division of Toxicology at 1-888-422-8737.
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How is arsenic exposure diagnosed? |
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Talk to your doctor about tests that measure the
level of arsenic in your body. Arsenic can be
measured in blood, urine, hair and fingernails.
Testing urine will tell you if you have been
exposed to arsenic in the last few days. Testing
hair and fingernails will tell you if you have
been exposed to arsenic in the past six to
twelve months. These tests will tell you if it
was arsenic that made you sick. However, the
tests cannot tell if the arsenic will make you
sick in the future.2
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What is the treatment for arsenic exposure? |
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There is no effective treatment for arsenic
exposure. Your health care provider can only
help provide relief from your symptoms.3
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Can I remove arsenic from my drinking water? |
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Yes. There are several types of point-of-use, in
home filters that can be used to remove arsenic
from drinking water, which use methods such as
reverse osmosis, ultra-filtration, and ion
exchange. Distilling the water can also be used
to remove arsenic. If you want to know more
about these removal technologies, please contact
NSF International, an organization for public
health and safety through standards development,
product certification, education, and
risk-management. Contact information is provided
below. Boiling water will not remove arsenic and
could slightly increase the concentration of
arsenic in your water if you continue boiling
and lose a large amount of water as steam.
Chlorine (bleach) disinfection will also not
remove arsenic.
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Is my private well at risk from arsenic? |
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Like many contaminants that enter drinking water
supplies, arsenic is potentially hazardous at
high levels. Because you cannot see or taste
arsenic in water, it is up to the well owner to
test for arsenic. Arsenic tends to occur more
frequently in ground water supplies, especially
when demand causes significant drops in water
levels in certain areas. It is best to consult
your local health department about this
situation and ask about your area. You may also
wish to talk with your state geological survey
office or USDA agent.4
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Resources:
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
Arsenic and Drinking Water from Private Wells,
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/healthywater/factsheets/arsenic.htm
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
Arsenic and Drinking Water from Private Wells,
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/healthywater/factsheets/arsenic.htm
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
Arsenic and Drinking Water from Private Wells,
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/healthywater/factsheets/arsenic.htm
4. Environmental Protection Agency: Arsenic
in Drinking Water,
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/arsenic/basicinformation.html
ADDITIONAL RESOURCE LINKS:
US Dept. of Labor -
Occupational Safety & Health Administration
(OSHA)
Wikipedia - Arsenic
Poisoning
National Library of
Medicine - Aresenic
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QUICK LINKS
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EPA ARSENIC RULE |
Maximum Contaminant Level
in parts per million (ppm)
MCL = 0.010 ppm
Maximum Contaminant Level Goal
MCLG = 0 ppm
Health Effects
Skin damage or problems with
circulatory systems, and may have
increased risk of getting cancer
Sources of contamination
Erosion of natural deposits; runoff
from orchards, runoff from glass &
electronic production wastes
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AMI is proud to be a member in
good standing of the Better Business Bureau
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All AMI
Indoor Environmental Professionals
are ESA Certifed |
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