Is Arsenic In Your Well Water?

 A friend of mine who asked me for a referral for a water testing and filtering company contacted me last week.  Their story is pretty scary...

   They had gone to the doctor because their hair was getting brittle and their nail beds had started turning black.  After having a battery of blood & urine tests done to determine the cause(s), the doctor called and advised them they had elevated arsenic in their system and wanted their water tested right away.   

    The health effects associated with arsenic exposure include thickening and discoloration of the skin.  (Sometimes these changes can lead to skin cancers.) Stomach aches, Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, or Numbness in the hands and feet.  The ways in which arsenic affects our bodies in not yet fully understood.

   I did a little bit of research and found that:

    Since arsenic is a natural part of our environment, most of us are exposed to varying degrees of the metalloid solid.  Arsenic poisoning is mainly caused by environmental exposure. Contaminated air, food and water can all be a source of arsenic ingestion.      

    It is also possible to ingest arsenic when living near improperly controlled toxic waste or dumpsites or in regions where rocks contain a high arsenic concentration. Additionally, pressure treated wood may include arsenic which can release the poison through seepage into the ground, sawdust or when burned.

     The most common and significant exposure to arsenic is from ground water used for drinking and cooking.  Organic arsenic, which comes from food sources such as fish and seafood, is much less harmful than inorganic arsenic that is found in ground water. 

    Fortunately, per the EPA, arsenic levels found in well water is not readily absorbed into the skin so contact with arsenic contaminated well water used for laundry and bathing does not pose a significant risk.

    In 2001, the EPA changed the maximum contaminant level (MCL) of arsenic in drinking water from 0.05 mg/L to 0.01 mg/L.  The recommended arsenic drinking water health advisory is 0.01 mg/L or 10 micrograms per gallon. 

   Removing arsenic from well water can be accomplished through adding a reverse osmossis system with a special filter.  You can find additional information by visiting a local company I refer clients to by visiting: www.reynoldswater.com

  Since arsenic testing is not routinely performed on private wells, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will may be contacted to test for arsenic for a fee (approximately $16.00).  The DEQ can be reached by calling (517) 335-8184 to for testing information or to provide you with a list of certified laboratories.

Additional arsenic links can be found at:

 www.epa.gov/safewater/arsenic.html

webserver.cr.usgs.gov/trace/arsenic

 ww.michigan.gov/deq/1,1607,7-135-3313_3675_3691-9753--,00.html

State of Michigan Telephone Contacts:

Michigan Department of Community Health (DCH)

1-800-648-6942

DEQ Water Division

(517) 241-1381