Arsenic exposure can have significant effects on human health, both in terms of non-cancer and cancer-related issues. Non-cancer effects may manifest as skin thickening, skin discoloration, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, numbness in hands and feet, partial paralysis, and even blindness. On the other hand, arsenic has been associated with various forms of cancer, including bladder, lung, skin, kidney, nasal passages, liver, and prostate cancer. Remarkably, even at levels as low as 4 parts per billion (ppb), arsenic has been found to expand blood vessels, while concentrations of 10 ppb and above have been linked to accelerated tumor growth.
Standards and Regulations for Arsenic Levels in Drinking Water
To safeguard consumers from the long-term and chronic effects of arsenic exposure, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established a drinking water standard for arsenic at a concentration of 0.010 parts per million (ppm), equivalent to 10 ppb. This standard applies to public water systems and serves as a critical measure to protect an estimated 13 million Americans. Compliance with this standard is mandatory for water systems, and testing to meet the requirement must be completed by January 23, 2006.
For More Information
If you have additional questions or wish to explore more about arsenic in water, the State of New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services offers a wealth of informative water quality documents, including an in-depth resource on arsenic in water.
