We all know that water is essential to life, but what you may not know is that the quality of your drinking water can vary significantly from place to place. Arsenic is one potentially harmful contaminant that can be found in some water supplies. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that roughly 10 million people are at risk from chronic exposure to high levels of arsenic in their drinking water. At the same time, another 200 million received exposure to moderate doses.
Please continue reading to find out more about what this means for your health, as well as some steps you can follow to test for it and eliminate it from your water.
A Guide About Arsenic
Arsenic is a naturally occurring element that can be found in water and soil. It is colorless and odorless, and it can be poisonous in high doses. Further, arsenic is a toxic element that is found in the earth’s crust. It can be naturally occurring, or it can be manufactured. Lastly, arsenic is often used in pesticides, wood preservatives, and other industrial chemicals.
How Does It Get Into Drinking Water?
Arsenic can enter drinking water through erosion of natural deposits, runoff from agricultural areas, or discharge from industries. Professionals found arsenic in some drinking water sources due to human and animal waste contamination.
Some countries have higher arsenic levels than others. For example, some parts of the U.S., South America, China, and India have high arsenic levels in drinking water sources.
How Does Arsenic Affect Your Health?
Arsenic is a known carcinogen, meaning it can cause cancer. Long-term exposure to arsenic can also cause other health problems, including skin lesions, cardiovascular disease, neurological problems, and diabetes.
How to Find Out If There’s Arsenic in Your Water?
If you are concerned about arsenic in your drinking water, have your water tested. You can, indeed, order a test kit from online stores. Results of your test will tell you whether the arsenic levels in your water supply meet current federal and state standards.
If they do not, talk to a licensed plumber, health department, or other qualified individuals about how to treat your water. If you cannot afford to treat your water supply, then contact local, state, or federal agencies for help.
How to Get Rid of Arsenic From Your Drinking Water
There are several ways to eliminate arsenic from your drinking water. The most effective way is through reverse osmosis. Arsenic can also be removed with an activated carbon filter, although this method is not as effective as reverse osmosis. Some arsenic filters use a combination of reverse osmosis and activated carbon.
If you are concerned about arsenic in your drinking water, here are several things you can do:
- Use a reverse osmosis water filter. Reverse osmosis filters are effective at removing arsenic from drinking water.
- Drink bottled or boiled water. Bottled water treatment removes arsenic and other contaminants.
- Install an arsenic filter on your faucet. Install arsenic filters on faucets to effectively remove arsenic from drinking water.
- Have your well water tested. It is important to get your water tested but especially so if you have a well. Have it tested for arsenic. Then, if the levels are above the federal standard, you can take steps to treat the water yourself or contact local, state, or federal agencies for assistance.
Conclusion
Arsenic levels can change throughout the year depending on several factors, including rainfall and irrigation patterns, temperature, natural acidity or alkalinity, and even an area’s mining history. If concerned about arsenic in your drinking water, consider a water test. You can also talk to your local water department about treatment methods available in your area.
At Advanced Water Softening, we believe that better water leads to a better community. Visit us or contact our customer care desk to learn more about making your water safer and healthy. Also, feel free to claim your free NO CONTACT water test today.
