The element arsenic has a long, storied past. Here’s some quick facts to share with customers:

  • A high level of arsenic exposure in water is 60 ppm, which may be a fatal dose if swallowed.
  • Some studies suggest that even low levels of arsenic can cause illness, damage blood vessels and negate the body’s natural ability to fight off certain cancers.
  • According to WebMD LLC., an estimated 100 million people are at risk of exposure to unacceptable arsenic levels in either well water or ground water.
  • Arsenic occurs naturally in the Earth, exposing well water and ground water to the toxin.
  • Arsenic ranks 20th in abundance in the Earth’s crust; 14th in seawater; and 12th in the human body.
  • Throughout the U.S. the presence of arsenic in groundwater varies.
  • Arsenic will not be found if a water treatment dealer is not specifically targeting it.
  • In water treatment, acceptable levels of arsenic are measured in the parts per billion (ppb).
  • In 1975, the U.S. set the maximum level for arsenic in drinking water at 50 ppb. In 2001, after years of scientific data, health-based studies on the long-term effects of arsenic and domestic and international pressures, EPA lowered the maximum contaminant level (MCL) to 10 ppb.

Dealers need to know what is important when confronted with an arsenic situation and what variables can influence success.

There are several treatment options for point-of-use and point-of-entry systems when dealing with arsenic, such as reverse osmosis, anion exchange resins and adsorptive media. But, not every arsenic situation is the same and, therefore, solutions vary. First, after arsenic is found, start with the water’s chemistry and find out what else is in the water. Then, treat the situation as needed.

When arsenic treatment is called for, dealers should also test for such factors as pH, total arsenic, manganese, iron, hardness, competing ions, silica, alkalinity, phosphates and total organic carbon.

Another factor to determine is the species of the arsenic — As(III) or As(V). Technologies in the market typically are most effective on As(V), compared to As(III).

Proper treatment, however, for arsenic starts well before the testing process. Educating customers is the most important remedy for arsenic. An educated customer holds the key to investing wisely in their health as well as their family’s well-being.