Arsenic has a long and scandalous history as one of the world’s most well-known poisons. From the toxin of choice to pick off dinner guests in Arsenic and Old Lace to the “almost clinical description of acute arsenic poisoning” in Madam Bovary, classical authors have made arsenic’s poisonous potency common knowledge (NCBI), which is a good thing! The last thing anyone wants is arsenic toxicity in water.
So… what IS arsenic? Arsenic is an element that occurs naturally in our earth’s crust. It’s found in water, food, air, and soil. It can leach through groundwater into public supply, particularly in rural areas in the American Southwest, Midwest, and Northeast. (WHO).
Arsenic can be divided into two categories: Organic and Inorganic. Both are toxic. However, organic arsenic (found in seafood) is much less toxic than inorganic arsenic. Inorganic arsenic is highly toxic. It’s found in water and rice-based foods. (WHO).
Health Effects of Arsenic Toxicity in Water
Inorganic arsenic is a known carcinogen. It is linked to lung, skin, kidney and bladder cancers. Low level exposure over a long period of time causes diabetes and metabolic syndrome, one of the United State’s leading co-morbidities.
Kids are much more vulnerable to arsenic than adults. Lower levels will harm them. So, it’s extra important for kids to avoid arsenic exposure. Arsenic toxicity causes both mental and physical developmental issues in children. Early life exposure is also associated with a higher risk of developing cancer in adulthood. (WHO).
Body Systems Affected by Arsenic:
- the endocrine system (affects growth and development in children, and governs metabolism and many other body systems in adults)
- your skin
- lungs and breathing
- heart and cardiovascular system
- nervous system (neurological issues and coma)
- immunity and ability to fight off disease
- cancer: liver, kidney, bladder, and prostate
- liver disease (NIH)
*Many of these diseases are life-threatening. (NIH)
Where is Arsenic Toxicity in Water a Problem?
Rural communities with wells are most heavily affected by arsenic toxicity. Arsenic toxicity is most problematic in the Southwest, Midwest, and Northeast. Some public water supplies also contain arsenic. Check your own area by dropping your zip code in the Environmental Working Group’s tapwater database to find out.
“7% of wells in the United States tested report arsenic levels above the EPA’s Maximum Contaminant Level of 10ppb.”
How is Arsenic Removed from Water?
Reverse Osmosis, ion exchange, activated carbon, distillation, and deionization remove arsenic from water. Please be aware that boiling and chlorination do NOT remove arsenic. (CDC).
What can you do?
- Test your well for arsenic;
- Check EWG.org if your water is supplied by your public utility;
- Test your water privately if it does not come from a public utility which does regular testing;
- Drink filtered water, especially if you have children.
FreshPure Waters is Arsenic Free
Third party lab tests confirm that all three types of FreshPure Waters (Alkaline, Reverse Osmosis, and Deionized Waters) are arsenic-free. For a complete list on on contaminants removed by FreshPure Waters, click here.
References:
Center for Disease Control (CDC). (2015). Arsenic and Drinking Water from Private Wells. Retrieved on July 22th, 2020 from https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/private/wells/disease/arsenic.html
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIH). (2020). Arsenic. Retrieved on July 20th, 2020 from https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/arsenic/index.cfm.
NCBI. (1977). Arsenic: Medical and Biologic Effects of Environmental Pollutants. Retrieved on July 20th, 2020 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK231012/.
World Health Organization (WHO). (2018). Arsenic. Retrieved on July 20th, 2020 from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/arsenic.