What is an acceptable level of arsenic?

EPA set the arsenic standard for drinking water at 10 ppb (or 0.010 parts per million). This protects consumers from the effects of long-term, chronic exposure to arsenic.

Is there arsenic in Colorado water?

In Colorado, arsenic concentrations in drinking water are generally too low to be an immediate or severe health concern. Drinking water with levels of arsenic above the new standard may, however, cause health problems in the future.

What is an unhealthy level of arsenic?

Levels above 10 ppb will increase the risk of long-term or chronic health problems. The higher the level and length of exposure, the greater the risk. It is especially important to reduce arsenic water concentrations if you have children or are pregnant.

Is there arsenic in my tap water?

You can find out whether arsenic contamination is a problem in your drinking water by checking EWG’s Tap Water Database or contacting your water utility. If you drink well water, you can find out whether arsenic is a problem in your region by contacting your local health department.

How much arsenic is safe in ppm?

EPA has set a limit of 0.01 parts per million (ppm) for arsenic in drinking water. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set a permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 10 micrograms of arsenic per cubic meter of workplace air (10 µg/m³) for 8 hour shifts and 40 hour work weeks.

How do you test for arsenic in well water?

Unfortunately, there is no way to know the arsenic level in water before a well is drilled. Arsenic levels can vary between wells, even within a small area. You cannot taste, see, or smell arsenic in your water.

How does well water work?

Most well water is pumped out of the ground automatically using a submersible pump or a jet pump that sits on top of the ground and draws water out of the ground to create water pressure for the home. Other well water systems are gravity fed and use gravity to provide water pressure to the house.

Does arsenic affect teeth?

found slight increase in arsenic content in carious enamel as compared to healthy enamel. Although there is no systematic review available about the effects of arsenic and prevalence of dental caries in children, this study contributes to the epidemiological evidence about the same.

Is it illegal to have arsenic?

Arsenic is no longer produced in the United States but it is still imported from other countries. Now most uses of arsenic in farming are banned in the United States. The use of chromated copper arsenic to make a wood preservative for pressure-treated wood has been greatly reduced since 2003.

What is the standard for arsenic in drinking water?

• The federal government recognized the adverse health effects of arsenic ingestion long ago and has consistently reviewed the standard for arsenic in drinking water. In 1942, the U.S. Public Health Service established an arsenic drinking water standard for interstate water carriers of 50€µg/L.

What is the EPA standard for arsenic in soil?

• EPA’s position is clear: the arsenic standard is meant to be 0.010 mg/L (10 ppb). • States need to take into account systems with arsenic levels between 10 ppb to 14 ppb as they establish their arsenic compliance strategy. 30 Determining Compliance & Rounding

What is arsenic in CCA?

• Arsenic is found in the preservative chromated copper arsenate (CCA) used to preserve wood. 90% of all arsenic consumed in the U.S. is used in the production of CCA. • Arsenic can be a by-product of mining and smelting, and is of particular concern in old waste disposal sites (e.g., mine tailings).

What is the MCLG of arsenic in the US?

[Note: In 1992, the criteria were recalculated with an updated cancer slope factor data to yield 0.018 µg/L for arsenic (57 FR 60848).] On November 13, 1985EPA proposed a MCLG of 50 µg/L based on the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) conclusion that 50 µg/L balanced toxicity and possible essentiality (50 FR 46936).