In 1942, when a standard for arsenic was first established, the key health effects of ingesting arsenic were believed to be limited to skin cancer and black foot disease. Since that time, extensive research has been conducted around the world that links arsenic to a wide range of health effects including both cancer and non-cancer causing illnesses. The majority of the research on the topic has been performed outside of the U.S.

According to a 1999 study by the National Academy of Sciences, arsenic in drinking water causes bladder, lung and skin cancer, and may cause kidney and liver cancer. The study also found that arsenic harms the central and peripheral nervous systems, as well as heart and blood vessels, and causes serious skin problems. It also may cause birth defects and reproductive problems. NRDC analyzed data compiled by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on arsenic in drinking water in 25 states.

In the United States, high concentrations of arsenic are most often found at the foothill of mountain ranges. Western states and parts of the Midwest and New England show increasing arsenic levels well above the current U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standard of 10 parts per billion (ppb). Although these areas have the highest concentrations of arsenic overall, communities throughout the United States have high levels of arsenic in their drinking water. More than 12.

Washington State Department of Health fact sheet about arsenic http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/dw/our_main_pages/arsenic.htm http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/dw/fact_sheets/331-167_5-1-2_Arsenic_in_Drinking_Water_Q&A_With_Graphics_.pdf

First, check the chart, where we've analyzed and summarized data reported to the EPA over an 18-year period. (If your state is one of the 25 that failed to report data to the EPA, it won't appear in the chart -- in that case, just take the next step below.) Then, contact your local water utility -- it is now required by law to provide a report on all contaminants and toxins found in your local 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.

Because some of the water will evaporate, boiling water can increase the concentration of arsenic in your water. Disinfecting water by chlorination or by using most mechanical filters is also NOT effective in removing arsenic from water. However, there are several types of filters that can be used, including reverse osmosis, ultra-filtration, and ion exchange.

Swimming pools, waterparks, hot tubs, and spas can also be contaminated by germs that are rinsed off swimmer's bodies including their rear ends. In addition, lakes, rivers, and the ocean can be contaminated by sewage spills, animal waste, and water runoff. Diarrrheal accidents are not easily noticed and as a result could contaminate even the best-maintained pool.

Surface waters, such as streams, creeks, and lakes, will almost always contain some degree of contamination. This is due to exposure to animals, humans, aquatic life, etc. Raw surface waters should always be treated prior to domestic use, and must include disinfection and filtration to remove turbidity and parasites that are resistant to simple disinfection.

While NRDC can't assess the specific risks for you and your family, we encourage you to learn all you can. Drinking water provided by most water utility companies meets or falls below the current national standard for arsenic, which is 50 parts per billion (ppb). That standard, however, was established in 1942, before health officials knew that arsenic causes cancer.

If you obtain your drinking water from a public municipal source, as 70% of U.S. residents do, you can contact your local government office to obtain a water report. This report will provide you with the level of arsenic in your water. If it is below 10 parts per billion, it falls within the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's standard for the contaminant. However, the EPA has also recognized that the desired maximum contaminant level (MCL) for arsenic is 0 parts per billion.

In populations that have drunk water contaminated with arsenic there is evidence of health effects. The illnesses caused by arsenic are: palm-plantar hyperkeratosis, whose symptoms are skin pigmentation and callousness on the palms of the hands and the feet, hyper- and hypopigmentation of the face, neck and chest, and cancer of the skin, lungs, liver, kidney and bladder.

In 2006, the equivalent of 2 billion half-liter bottles of water were shipped to U.S. ports, creating thousands of tons of global warming pollution and other air pollution. In New York City alone, the transportation of bottled water from western Europe released an estimated 3,800 tons of global warming pollution into the atmosphere. In California, 18 million gallons of bottled water were shipped in from Fiji in 2006, producing about 2,500 tons of global warming pollution.

Yes. Some systems may be able to reduce arsenic levels by cleaning up or changing the source of their water. For example, some arsenic contamination results from leaching from old waste dumps, mines or tailings, or from past use of arsenic-containing pesticides. In other cases, arsenic in drinking water is caused by continuing industrial pollution.

Most arsenic enters water supplies either from natural deposits in the earth or from industrial and agricultural pollution. Arsenic is a natural element of the earth's crust. It is used in industry and agriculture, and for other purposes. It also is a byproduct of copper smelting, mining and coal burning. U.S. industries release thousands of pounds of arsenic into the environment every year.

Arsenic is a naturally occurring metal found in rocks and soil. It can be released into the environment through geological events, such as volcanic activity and erosion. Some industrial processes, such as mining, smelting and the production of paints, metals, soaps, dyes, drugs, semi-conductors and wood preservatives may also release arsenic into the environment.

Most arsenic enters water supplies either from natural deposits in the earth or from industrial and agricultural pollution. Arsenic is a natural element of the earth's crust. It is a byproduct of copper smelting, mining and coal burning. It enters drinking water supplies from natural deposits in the earth or from agricultural and industrial practices.

After ingestion arsenic is aborted and distributed in to various organs of the body including skin. It alters various physiological function of the body leading to disease manifestations.

Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably contain small amounts of contaminants. As long as their concentrations are below legislated levels, they do not pose a significant health threat, although people with severely compromised immune systems and children may have special needs.

Ingesting very high levels of arsenic can result in death. Exposure to lower levels can cause nausea and vomiting, decreased production of red and white blood cells, abnormal heart rhythm, damage to blood vessels, and a sensation of "pins and needles" in hands and feet. Ingesting or breathing low levels of inorganic arsenic for a long time can cause a darkening of the skin and the appearance of small "corns" or "warts" on the palms, soles, and torso.

Water provides an important component in the fulfillment of metabolic functions of the living organisms. The daily intake of water should be 3% of the body weight. That is to say, a person weighing 80 kg requires 2.4 liters water per day. The human body loses water daily in urine, breathing, transpiration, and in defecation. A person of 80 kg will lose 1.2 liters (50%) in urine, 0.4 liters (17%) in breathing, 0.6 liters (25%) in transpiration and 0.2 liters (8%) in defecation.

Drinking water is available at most developed campgrounds. When it is not provided, water should always be treated with purification tablets or iodine, by boiling, or by filtering. One safe method of treatment is boiling vigorously for 3-5 minutes to kill parasitic organisms which may be present. To improve taste, add a pinch of salt to each quart of boiled water or pour it back and forth from one clean container to another several times. More on drinking water...

Safe drinking water depends on a good source, effective treatment, secure distribution, continuous monitoring, and quick action when problems are found. If any part of this system is deficient, then the safety of drinking water may be jeopardized. Therefore, it is essential that all municipalities are able to pay the costs of maintaining their drinking water systems.

The Workplaces (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 (ISBN 0717604136) require your employer to provide an adequate supply.

Most lead in drinking water supplies leaches from the plumbing in our homes, including lead service lines, lead-based solder (used to join copper plumbing), and faucets. To reduce your exposure to lead, make sure to flush your pipes for several seconds before using the water for drinking or cooking.

Information concerning the contamination of water supplies can be found on the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) website. Emergency contact numbers for water and sewerage suppliers are listed under WATER in your telephone directory. Volunteering - This section provides advice to those wishing to volunteer to help during an emergency

Arsenic can be efficiently removed biologically by using Filtralite as a biofilm media utilising the large surface area of the material.

Many chicken flocks are silently infected with Campylobacter; that is, the chickens are infected with the organism but show no signs of illness. Campylobacter can be easily spread from bird to bird through a common water source or through contact with infected feces. When an infected bird is slaughtered, Campylobacter can be transferred from the intestines to the meat. More than half of the raw chicken in the United States market has Campylobacter on it.

There is some evidence that long-term exposure to arsenic in children may result in lower IQ scores. There is also some evidence that exposure to arsenic in the womb and early childhood may increase mortality in young adults. There is some evidence that inhaled or ingested arsenic can injure pregnant women or their unborn babies, although the studies are not definitive.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is notifying people who live in an area of south Minneapolis about an effort to test their yards for arsenic. Letters were sent to property owners in an area that covers the southeast corner of the Phillips neighborhood and smaller areas in the Powderhorn Park and Corcoran neighborhoods.