Arsenic is poison. A favorite of movie villains, it’s not something you expect to find in tap water. But according to the Environmental Protection Agency, more than 44 million Americans may be drinking from arsenic-contaminated wells. Are you one of them?
If you’re worried about arsenic, you’ve come to the right place with questions. We’ll show you how to test for arsenic in water, and how to choose the right treatment system.
What is Arsenic?
Arsenic is a semi-metallic element that occurs naturally in the Earth’s crust. There are two types of arsenic — organic and inorganic.
Organic arsenic is harmless and occurs in food like shellfish. Inorganic arsenic is found in man-made and natural sources, from rock to pesticides, and is highly toxic.
The CDC estimates that the average person consumes 50 parts per billion (ppb) of arsenic daily through food, drink and environmental exposure.
How Does Arsenic Contaminate Drinking Water?
High levels of arsenic are rarely found in public water systems. Water is tested for arsenic and treated before it’s distributed to customers. Private water systems are far more vulnerable to arsenic because they tap untreated ground-water aquifers.
As rain and snowmelt pour through the soil, they gather arsenic from rocks and other sources, from agricultural to industrial waste, carrying it to wells. Groundwater in many parts of the world contains high levels of arsenic.
The United States Geological Survey tests arsenic and other elements in groundwater across America. Their map shows high concentrations in the Northeast and Southwest, but there are pockets nationwide.
Elevated levels of inorganic arsenic are common in volcanic rock and in areas where natural gas is produced. Arsenic concentrations are also high where it was once used heavily in industry and agriculture.
While the use of arsenic in some products and processes has been curbed due to health risks, it’s still common in pressure-treated lumber, pesticides, electronics and even medicines. States like Maine, for example, suggest having wells tested for arsenic every five years to be on the safe side.
Fruit juice and rice may also contain high arsenic levels when grown in areas where the soil is contaminated.
The Health Risks of Arsenic in Drinking Water
Acute arsenic poisoning is rare and causes symptoms such as:
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Abdominal pain
- muscle weakness
- Nervous system disorders and more
The long-term health effects of drinking arsenic-contaminated drinking water are more serious and include:
- Diabetes
- Cardiovascular problems
- Bladder and lung cancer
Persistent exposure to low levels of arsenic may lead to chronic disease. Exposure to elevated levels over time can be fatal.
The Environmental Protection Agency sets the public drinking water standard for arsenic. Nationally, it’s 10 parts per billion (ppb) but it’s lower in some states, such as New Jersey and New Hampshire.
No government agency, however, regulates well water. If you have a private well, testing and treatment are up to you.
Does Bottled Water Contain Arsenic?
Bottled water is synonymous with purity, but the fact is — most of it is tap water filtered for taste impurities. Testing has shown sky-high arsenic levels in several major brands.
The standard is still a whopping 50 parts per billion (ppb) — four times more than what’s allowed in public drinking water.
How Can I Tell if There’s Arsenic in My Well Water?
If you live in an industrial area or where the bedrock contains arsenic, you’re at risk. Your local health department tracks arsenic and other contaminants in your watershed and may recommend periodic testing for private wells.
But since you can’t smell arsenic or taste arsenic, the only way to know with certainty if it’s in your well water is to test it. The good news is — the water testing process is simple.
Testing for Arsenic in Drinking Water
Arsenic testing is more challenging than other water tests, so you have fewer DIY options. You can use a color reagent test kit, but it’s less accurate than conventional water tests. Test results are tough to read and fall within a range —they’re not a single value.
We recommend having an accredited laboratory do the water testing for you because they use only scientifically proven methods — why do a water test at all unless you can rely on the results? If you don’t have a lab nearby, purchase a mail-in arsenic test kit online. They’re simple to use and hassle-free.
We like SimpleLab’s Tap Score test kit because it includes everything you need, including water sample containers and a prepaid return label for a reasonable price. They partner with the best labs in the business for the most accurate test results — see our top rated water test kits.
Just send them a drinking water sample, and they’ll analyze it. Pay for an arsenic test alone or select from panels that include testing for other well water contaminants — the CDC recommends you test a well water sample annually for pH, bacteria and nitrates.
The test results are delivered in weeks and include treatment system recommendations if your arsenic levels are too high. And if you need more information, they’re always ready to help.
Since bottled water is costly, and it can contain as much arsenic as well water, it’s a poor long-term solution for arsenic exposure. If your goal is to decrease your cancer risk and avoid other health issues associated with contaminated drinking water, installing a filtration system is a better strategy.
Arsenic Water Filters — Reverse Osmosis to Distillation
Not all treatment systems remove arsenic. Carbon filters, for example, like the type you find in garden-variety filtration pitchers, don’t.
The best treatment options for arsenic are:
#1 Reverse Osmosis Filters
Reverse osmosis filters remove up to 95 percent of arsenic plus other contaminants from lead to fluoride. It’s the same advanced technology public water systems use to lower arsenic levels in drinking water.
Most RO systems also include a carbon filter that removes chemicals and taste impurities, making it the most comprehensive protection money can buy.
#2 Distillation
Distillation removes up to 98 percent of arsenic by boiling water until it evaporates and collecting the condensed steam. Boiling water alone concentrates arsenic.
Activated Alumina Filters
Activated alumina filters reduce arsenic concentrations by 90-95 percent without adding aluminum to your drinking water.
#3 Ion Exchange Filters
Ion exchange systems come in two types. Cation exchange filters, like water softeners, that do not reduce arsenic and anion exchange systems that eliminate up to 98 percent of arsenic plus other common groundwater contaminants, such as sulfur and nitrates.
Choosing the Right Water Treatment System to Reduce Arsenic Levels
There are two general kinds of filtration systems. Point-of-entry (POE) filters that are plumbed into your main water line and point-of-use (POU) systems that are connected to one tap.
POE filters, such as countertop and undersink units, treat water throughout your home, so your shower is as clean as your drinking water. POU filters only purify water for drinking and cooking. Which of these treatment options is right for you?
Consider these factors:
Contaminants
If a water test reveals both arsenic and other common contaminants, installing a single filter that removes them all is usually the most cost-effective option. But not all filters remove all substances.
Reverse osmosis filters, for example, removes arsenic but not hydrogen sulfide. Your treatment options may be limited by what your water test finds.
Capacity
The distillation process is highly effective for removing arsenic, but it can only produce a few gallons of clean water daily. For a large family, it’s just not enough.
Whole-house water filters have the highest capacity, but they’re not a good fit for every home. Among the most popular filters for arsenic are countertop and undersink reverse osmosis systems. Whole-home RO filters are cost-prohibitive.
Footprint
Whole-house filtration systems have a considerable footprint. Temperature-sensitive and too tall for crawlspaces, they’ll take up to 12 square feet of valuable basement or garage space. Apartment-friendly, countertop and undersink filters fit almost anywhere.
Price
If your arsenic test is positive, you need a water filter now. Whole-home filters are a good investment, but they can cost thousands upfront. An undersink reverse osmosis system makes plenty of clean drinking and cooking water for less than $600.
Ease of Installation
Professional set-up can double the cost of a whole-house water filter. But POU systems require no permanent alterations to your plumbing system and can be installed in under an hour.
Final Thoughts
Having your private well water tested is the first step to reducing your arsenic exposure. If knowledge is power, better water quality could be just weeks away.
