Arsenic

GENERAL INFORMATION
Arsenic occurs naturally in soil and minerals and may enter the air, water, and land from wind-blown dust and may get into water from runoff and leaching. Arsenic cannot be destroyed in the environment. It can only change its form. Many common arsenic compounds can dissolve in water. Most of the arsenic in water will ultimately end up in soil or sediment.

HEALTH EFFECTS
Drinking water is the main source of human exposure to arsenic. Some people who drink water containing arsenic in excess of the MCL over many years could experience skin damage or problems with their circulatory system, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer. Long-term exposure to arsenic in drinking water is associated with multiple health problems.

  • Arsenic is a known human carcinogen linked to cancers of the skin, bladder, kidney, liver, and lung.
  • Arsenic has been shown to cause vascular disease (loss of circulation in the limbs) and skin abnormalities (changes in skin texture and color).
  • Some researchers have found evidence that arsenic can disrupt the immune and endocrine systems, and may be related to Type-2 diabetes.
Standard value 1: 
10.00
Standard units 1: 
ppb
Input units: 
ug/L
ppb
Contaminant group: 
Inorganic trace constituent
Standard type 1: 
MCL
Action is recommended 1: 

MCL ADVISORY - ACTION IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Arsenic levels were detected in your water sample to exceed the maximum contaminant level (MCL).

Action is optional 1: 

ACTION IS OPTIONAL
Arsenic levels were detected in your water sample but do not exceed the maximum contaminant level.

Typical range in Ohio: 
2-7 ug/L
Major sources in drinking water: 
Erosion of earth materials; Runoff from orchards; Runoff from glass and electronics production wastes
Treatment options: 

TREATMENT OPTIONS
Methods for removing arsenic from water include adsorptive media, reverse osmosis, distillation, and anion exchange.

These methods can be used in 2 different types of systems:

  • Point-of-use (POU) systems treat water from a single tap. They are often installed in the kitchen, and treat only the water used for drinking and cooking usually a few gallons per day.
  • Point-of-entry (POE) systems treat all of the water that enters a home usually 250 or more gallons per day.

Ohio Department of Health - Water Treatment

Website resources: 

WEBSITE RESOURCES

Fact sheets: 

FACT SHEETS