Arsenic in Illinois groundwater has become a health concern
Send a link to a friend
[September 17, 2008]
CHAMPAIGN -- Since the national
drinking water standard for arsenic became more stringent in 2006,
arsenic in Illinois groundwater has become a health concern,
especially for private well owners. Community water supplies are
government-regulated, but private well owners must monitor their own
water for safety, according to Brian Kaiser, associate chemist at
the Illinois State Water Survey Public Service Laboratory at the
University of Illinois Institute for Resource Sustainability.
|
The ISWS Public Service Laboratory, which tests Illinois citizens'
water samples for levels of arsenic as well as other elements, such
as nitrates, fluoride, lead and iron, has received more calls in
recent years requesting arsenic testing. Dissolved arsenic, found
in groundwater in some areas of Illinois, is considered toxic. Over
time, ingesting low levels of arsenic in drinking water may result
in chronic health conditions, particularly cancer and heart and
nervous system damage.
"What many well owners may not realize is that arsenic occurs
naturally in various parts of Illinois, particularly in central
Illinois, where glacial till is prevalent," Kaiser said. Counties
with higher arsenic levels in water have included McLean, Piatt and
DeWitt.
Citizens who contact the Public Service Laboratory can discuss
water quality issues with an analytical chemist and receive a free
water sample collection kit with instructions. Once testing is
complete, the laboratory sends an analysis report, highlighting
unusual findings, and provides suggestions on how to correct the
problem.
In the case of excessive levels of arsenic, the lab may suggest
that residents first ensure that their water softener is working
properly.
Water softeners can protect against some levels and types of
arsenic that have combined with undissolved iron or other particles
in water; however, additional treatment may be needed. Other options
include installing reverse osmosis or distillation equipment, or
drinking bottled water.
Citizens should become knowledgeable about water filters before
buying equipment because some are better than others at removing
arsenic, Kaiser said.
[to top
of second column] |
"A misconception about water filters is that they remove all
potentially dangerous elements so water is safe to drink," he said.
"Some filters remove only physical particles, but do not filter out
dissolved compounds, such as arsenic, lead and copper. Equipment
that demineralizes water may be needed to remove arsenic."
Health departments typically recommend that well owners have
their water tested annually, since no regulatory agency monitors the
water quality of private water supplies.
Residents on municipal water systems probably do not need to have
testing performed unless an advisory is issued by their water
supplier or recommended by their health care professional. Water
suppliers perform frequent testing to ensure compliance with the
Safe Drinking Water Act.
The Public Service Laboratory at the Illinois State Water Survey
provides Illinois residents with water sample analyses for their
private drinking water supplies. Arsenic is routinely determined for
water samples. The laboratory is located in Champaign and can be
contacted at 217-333-9234. For more information, visit
http://www.sws.uiuc.edu/chem/psl/.
[Text from
Illinois
State Water Survey
file received from the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information]
(Thursday is
World Water
Monitoring Day.)
|