Arsenic and Drinking Water from Private Wells
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What is
arsenic?
Arsenic is an
element that occurs naturally in rocks and soil. Arsenic can combine with
other elements to make chemicals used to preserve wood and to kill insects
on cotton and other agricultural crops.
How can I be exposed to arsenic?
It is possible to be exposed to arsenic through
the following:
- Food: Arsenic
in the air can be washed to the ground when it rains, contaminating crops
and fields. Although arsenic can build up in the tissues of fish and shellfish,
this form of arsenic will not hurt people.
- Water: Water
may have arsenic in it if there are high levels of arsenic in the rocks
through which the water flows, or if there is a leaking hazardous waste
site close by. Some chemicals containing arsenic can dissolve in water.
- Air: Sawdust
and smoke from burning arsenic-preserved wood may contaminate the air you
breath.
Where and how common is arsenic found in drinking water?
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.
What are the symptoms of arsenic exposure?
Observable symptoms or effects of arsenic
poisoning include:
- Thickening and discoloration
of the skin
- Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Numbness in hands and feet
- Partial paralysis
- Blindness
Several studies have shown that inorganic
arsenic can increase the risk of lung cancer, skin cancer, bladder cancer,
liver cancer, kidney cancer, and prostate cancer. 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.
What should I do if I have concerns about
arsenic exposure?
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.
How is arsenic exposure diagnosed?
There are 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.
What is the treatment for arsenic exposure?
There is no effective
treatment for arsenic exposure. Your health care provider can only help provide
relief from your symptoms.
Can I remove arsenic from my drinking water?
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.
NSF International
789 N. Dixboro Road
P.O. Box 130140
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48113-0140
Phone number: 800-673-8010 or 888-99-SAFER
Fax: 734-769-0109
Email: info@nsf.org
Web site: http://www.nsf.org
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