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article discusses arsenic in water. Water testing is the only
sure way to find out if arsenic is in your water. Once water
testing tells you the level of arsenic in your water, you
can install the right water filter to remove it.
A one-time oral dose of 60,000 ppb of arsenic will kill you.
That's no more than 1/50 the weight of a penny, which shows
how dangerous arsenic really is.
It's unlikely you won't be exposed to that much arsenic at
one time. However, there's a very good chance you will be
exposed to much higher levels over just a few years, merely
through the water you drink, food you eat and air you breathe.
Why? Unfortunately, the arsenic to which you are exposed is
typically colorless, odorless and tasteless. So if arsenic
is in your water, you won't notice it by sight, smell or taste.
How does arsenic get into your drinking water?
Arsenic occurs naturally in some soil and rock. When water
comes in contact with arsenic in soil or rocks, it's absorbed
naturally.
Industrial processes such as mining, smelting and coal-fired
electric power plants contribute to the presence of arsenic
in your water. Arsenic can either be discharged directly into
rivers and streams or pumped into the air.
When arsenic is pumped into the air, it travels with the wind
before settling back into lakes and rivers. Or, if arsenic
settles on the ground, it's carried into the underground water
supply by rain or melting snow.
Arsenic is also used in agricultural pesticides and chemicals
used to preserve wood. The residue from these applications
can be washed into rivers, lakes and underground water supplies.
So, it shouldn't be surprising to you that arsenic is very
common in ground water across the United States.
What are the possible health effects of ingesting
even low levels of arsenic? The likely links to disease:
1. Skin cancer
2. Nervous system damage
3. Diabetes
4. Circulatory diseases
5. High blood pressure
6. Reduced intelligence in children
Studies have also linked long-term arsenic exposure to an
increased risk of cancer of the bladder, lungs, liver and
other organs. Arsenic can also damage chromosomes, which house
the genetic material inside the cells of the body.
It's believed the side effects from arsenic exposure in drinking
water typically take years to develop. Much of it depends
on the concentration of arsenic to which you are exposed.
Most arsenic leaves your body within three days of exposure.
But the arsenic that remains is stored in the brain, bones
and tissue and continues to do serious damage.
How much arsenic in my water is considered safe?
The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has reduced the
safe drinking water standard for arsenic in your water to
10 parts per billion (ppb). That standard -- a dramatic decrease
from the current standard of 50 ppb -- goes into effect in
January 2006. The agency reduced the level it currently allows
in water because newer scientific studies found the old standard
did not protect people exposed to arsenic for many years.
While the new standard is lower, it's certainly not enough
to eliminate all the risk of cancer and other side effects.
Your exposure to arsenic in past years could cause problems
to your health later in life. That's why the EPA set a goal
of zero as to the amount of arsenic that should be in your
water.
But their goal is not enforceable.
You might feel a little safer knowing arsenic is not easily
absorbed through the skin and doesn't evaporate from water.
But don't get too comfortable... If arsenic is in your water,
you will primarily be exposed to it from the water you drink,
and not the water used to bathe, wash dishes or clean your
clothes.
Find out if arsenic or other harmful contaminants are in your
water supply. If they are, get the appropriate water purification
system to treat your specific problem. Then, see your health
practitioner about removing the contaminants that are already
in your body.
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