Arsenic In Drinking Water? All You Need To Know
Arsenic is the naturally occurring element in the earth’s crust. It dissolves when water passes through some rock formalities and is carried into streams, rivers, underground aquifers and other drinking water sources. Arsenic can also enter the water supply from natural deposits in the earth or industrial and agricultural pollution.
If you want to have complete peace of mind when drinking a glass of water, make sure it does not contain excessive arsenic. Since children drink more water per body weight, they are more prone to consume high levels of arsenic through drinking water. They pass through vital development stages, including brain development. If you don’t want water with excess arsenic to impact their growth and development, installing an arsenic removal filter on your property is advisable.
How Can Arsenic Impact A Person’s Health?
Drinking water with excess arsenic can lead to health hazards and cause health effects like,
- Discolouration and thickening of the skin
- Stomach ache, vomiting, nausea and diarrhoea
- Diabetes or disorder of the reproductive system, liver, lung, heart or nervous system
- Liver, lungs, skin, bladder, kidney and prostate cancer
Should I Be Concerned About Arsenic In Drinking Water?
Though you don’t have to worry if there is a small amount of arsenic in drinking water, excess of it can become a health concern. It is measured in parts per billion (ppb). You might have to install an arsenic removal filter if the water in your tap has arsenic levels above 35 ppb. All the young children in your family and infants should stop drinking water immediately. There have been instances when children consuming water with this arsenic level has faced health effects even when exposed to contaminated water for short terms (2 weeks or less).
Can I Use Water With High Arsenic Level?
Though you can’t consider water with high arsenic content as an immediate health hazard, you should avoid using the water for beverage making, food preparation or drinking. If someone lives in a house with a level of arsenic in tap water exceeding 130 ppb, he should be provided with a short-term alternate water source.
You can make contaminated water safe for consumption by installing a water treatment plant and an arsenic removal filter. Instead of choosing a random supplier, choose a reputable company like Dewpure for arsenic removal filters. The filters are widely used as they can quickly purify the water once they enter the system.
