Uploaded May 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describes arsenic as an element that occurs naturally in rocks and soil and is used for a variety of purposes within industry and agriculture. Unfortunately, arsenic and many of its compounds are also potent poisons.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) recognizes arsenic and inorganic arsenic compounds as group 1 carcinogens. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that arsenic has been linked to a number of cancers, including cancer of the bladder, lungs, skin, kidney, nasal passages, liver and prostate. Non-cancer effects of arsenic exposure listed by EPA include:
• Thickening and discoloration of the skin,
• Stomach pain,
• Nausea,
• Vomiting,
• Diarrhea,
• Numbness in the hands and feet,
• Partial paralysis, and
• Blindness.
People can be exposed to arsenic from a number of sources, including from drinking water where it is tasteless and odorless. Arsenic can enter drinking water supplies from natural deposits in the earth or from agricultural and industrial practices. CDC reports that it is widely believed that naturally occurring arsenic dissolves out of certain rock formations when groundwater levels drop significantly. Some industries also release significant amounts of arsenic and arsenic compounds into the environment. Any in the air will be eventually removed by rain, snow and gradual settling. Once on the ground or in surface water, arsenic can slowly enter the groundwater. High arsenic levels in private wells may also come from certain arsenic containing fertilizers and herbicides that were used in the past or from industrial waste.
In the United States, the maximum concentration in drinking water allowed by EPA is 10 ppb. However, EPA does not regulate private wells and the agency estimates that more than 13 million households in the United States rely on private wells for their drinking water (US Census American Housing Survey 2017). Private well owners are responsible for the safety of their water and this is why testing for contaminants, such as arsenic, is so important.
These are just a few of the many things to know about arsenic and private wells. To learn more about this or other aquatic, environmental, building science, industrial hygiene, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
Clark Seif Clark csceng.com
EMSL Analytical, Inc. emsl.com
LA Testing latesting.com
Zimmetry Environmental zimmetry.com
CTSI ctsiweb.com
Healthy Indoors Magazine healthyindoors.com
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describes arsenic as an element that occurs naturally in rocks and soil and is used for a variety of purposes within industry and agriculture. Unfortunately, arsenic and many of its compounds are also potent poisons.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) recognizes arsenic and inorganic arsenic compounds as group 1 carcinogens. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that arsenic has been linked to a number of cancers, including cancer of the bladder, lungs, skin, kidney, nasal passages, liver and prostate. Non-cancer effects of arsenic exposure listed by EPA include:
• Thickening and discoloration of the skin,
• Stomach pain,
• Nausea,
• Vomiting,
• Diarrhea,
• Numbness in the hands and feet,
• Partial paralysis, and
• Blindness.
People can be exposed to arsenic from a number of sources, including from drinking water where it is tasteless and odorless. Arsenic can enter drinking water supplies from natural deposits in the earth or from agricultural and industrial practices. CDC reports that it is widely believed that naturally occurring arsenic dissolves out of certain rock formations when groundwater levels drop significantly. Some industries also release significant amounts of arsenic and arsenic compounds into the environment. Any in the air will be eventually removed by rain, snow and gradual settling. Once on the ground or in surface water, arsenic can slowly enter the groundwater. High arsenic levels in private wells may also come from certain arsenic containing fertilizers and herbicides that were used in the past or from industrial waste.
In the United States, the maximum concentration in drinking water allowed by EPA is 10 ppb. However, EPA does not regulate private wells and the agency estimates that more than 13 million households in the United States rely on private wells for their drinking water (US Census American Housing Survey 2017). Private well owners are responsible for the safety of their water and this is why testing for contaminants, such as arsenic, is so important.
These are just a few of the many things to know about arsenic and private wells. To learn more about this or other aquatic, environmental, building science, industrial hygiene, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
Clark Seif Clark csceng.com
EMSL Analytical, Inc. emsl.com
LA Testing latesting.com
Zimmetry Environmental zimmetry.com
CTSI ctsiweb.com
Healthy Indoors Magazine healthyindoors.com
