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By Richard Mesquita, AquaMD
(AquaMD is the water testing division of the American Water Council,
a nationally respected provider of water education and testing
services. AquaMD has teamed with Dr. Mercola to provide you both
the free home water evaluation and the Dr. Mercola water testing
packages at http://www.aquamd.com/mercola/labtests.cfm.)
A one-time oral dose of 60,000 ppb of arsenic will kill
you. That's no more than 1/50 the weight of a penny, which
shows how dangerous arsenic really is.
It's unlikely you won't be exposed to that much arsenic at one
time. However, there's a very good chance you will be exposed
to much higher levels over just a few years, merely through the
water you drink, food you eat and air you breathe. Why? Unfortunately,
the arsenic to which you are exposed is typically colorless, odorless
and tasteless. So if arsenic is in your water, you won't notice
it by sight, smell or taste.
How does arsenic get into your drinking water?
Arsenic occurs naturally in some soil and rock. When water comes
in contact with arsenic in soil or rocks, it's absorbed naturally.
Industrial processes such as mining, smelting and coal-fired electric
power plants contribute to the presence of arsenic in your water.
Arsenic can either be discharged directly into rivers and streams
or pumped into the air.
When arsenic is pumped into the air, it travels with the wind before
settling back into lakes and rivers. Or if arsenic settles on the
ground, it's carried into the underground water supply by rain or
melting snow.
Arsenic is also used in agricultural pesticides and chemicals used
to preserve wood. The residue from these applications can be washed
into rivers, lakes and underground water supplies.
So, it shouldn't be surprising to you that arsenic is very common
in ground water across the United States.
What are the possible health effects of
ingesting even low levels of arsenic? The likely links to disease:
- Skin cancer
- Nervous system damage
- Diabetes
- Circulatory diseases
- High blood pressure
- Reduced intelligence in children
Studies have also linked long-term arsenic exposure to an increased
risk of cancer of the bladder, lungs, liver and other organs. Arsenic
can also damage chromosomes, which house the genetic material inside
the cells of the body.
It's believed the side effects from arsenic exposure in drinking
water typically take years to develop. Much of it depends on the
concentration of arsenic to which you are exposed. Most arsenic
leaves your body within three days of exposure. But the arsenic
that remains is stored in the brain, bones and tissue and continues
to do serious damage.
How much arsenic in my water is considered
safe?
The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has reduced the safe
drinking water standard for arsenic in your water to 10 parts per
billion (ppb). That standard -- a dramatic decrease from the current
standard of 50 ppb -- goes into effect in January 2006. The agency
reduced the level it currently allows in water because newer scientific
studies found the old standard did not protect people exposed to
arsenic for many years.
While the new standard is lower, it's certainly not enough to eliminate
all the risk of cancer and other side effects. Your exposure to
arsenic in past years could cause problems to your health later
in life. That's why the EPA set a goal of zero as to the amount
of arsenic that should be in your water.
But their goal is not enforceable.
You might feel a little safer knowing arsenic is not easily absorbed
through the skin and doesn't evaporate from water. But don't get
too comfortable... If arsenic is in your water, you will primarily
be exposed to it from the water you drink, and not to bathe,
wash dishes or clean your clothes.
Find out if arsenic or other harmful contaminants are in your water
supply. If they are, get the appropriate water purification system
to treat your specific problem. Then, see your health practitioner
about removing the contaminants that are already in your body.
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