ARSENIC By: Marqita Tebeau

What is Arsenic? Arsenic is an element that occurs naturally in soil, bedrock, groundwater and ocean water. Arsenic is an element that occurs naturally in soil, bedrock, groundwater and ocean water.

How does Arsenic get into your water supply? The arsenic found in Wisconsin is naturally occurring, deposited in the bedrock layers millions of years ago. The arsenic found in Wisconsin is naturally occurring, deposited in the bedrock layers millions of years ago. The arsenic from the bedrock is being released into the groundwater and drawn into wells. The arsenic from the bedrock is being released into the groundwater and drawn into wells. Experts know that increased water demands have lowered the water table which has allowed oxygen to get into the aquifer, creating chemical reactions that release arsenic into the water. Experts know that increased water demands have lowered the water table which has allowed oxygen to get into the aquifer, creating chemical reactions that release arsenic into the water.

What levels of arsenic are safe? The federal drinking water standard for arsenic in public water supplies was recently lowered from 50 ppb to 10 ppb. The federal drinking water standard for arsenic in public water supplies was recently lowered from 50 ppb to 10 ppb. There is no state or federal requirements saying you have to stop using your private well, but it is recommended. There is no state or federal requirements saying you have to stop using your private well, but it is recommended.

Side effects of Arsenic poisoning? Long term exposure to high levels of arsenic is know to increase the risk of skin, bladder, lung, liver, colon, and kidney cancer. Long term exposure to high levels of arsenic is know to increase the risk of skin, bladder, lung, liver, colon, and kidney cancer. Other health effects may include blood vessel damage, high blood pressure, nerve damage, anemia, stomach upsets, diabetes, and skin changes. Other health effects may include blood vessel damage, high blood pressure, nerve damage, anemia, stomach upsets, diabetes, and skin changes.

How you can find out if your well is contaminated? You cannot smell, taste or see arsenic in your private well water. You cannot smell, taste or see arsenic in your private well water. The only way to know if your drinking water contains arsenic, is to have a water sample from your private well tested by a certified laboratory. The only way to know if your drinking water contains arsenic, is to have a water sample from your private well tested by a certified laboratory. Outagamie County Public Health Division provides water testing for residents who have a private well. Outagamie County Public Health Division provides water testing for residents who have a private well.

What to do if it is contaminated? If your well is contaminated you will have to drill a new well, but this time have it cased. If your well is contaminated you will have to drill a new well, but this time have it cased.

Pictures

Bibliography bpages/drinkingwatertesting.htm bpages/drinkingwatertesting.htm bpages/drinkingwatertesting.htm bpages/drinkingwatertesting.htm