Arsenic is a natural element that can be found widely in the earth’s crust and is present in all living matter.
It is used as an alloy agent in the glass industry, hide tanning process and pesticides and pharmaceuticals.
Arsenic can occur naturally in water through the dissolving of minerals and bedrock. It can also be introduced into a water supply from treated lumber.
Health Canada has set the recommended guideline for arsenic in a water supply for consumption at 0.025 milligrams per litre.
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Humans who drink water that contains arsenic can experience symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting and pain to the extremities and muscles. Later symptoms may include body rashes and lines in fingernails.
Health Canada says consuming drinking water that contains arsenic at levels close to or higher than the guideline over a period of years has been found to increase the risk of skin cancer and tumours of the bladder, kidney, liver and lung.
It troubles me that a government department can place a guideline on this type of poisonous substance in a water supply.
If you think you have an arsenic problem, I suggest you have your water tested.
To treat water for home drinking and cooking, install a distiller or aÊreverse osmosis system.
To treat water for a household, village or town, depending on the levels of arsenic, use commercialÊgreensand filters with a regenerateÊof potassium permanganate.
If you have a specific water problem and would like advice, write to the Water Clinic, attention Philip Stadnyk, 850-47th St. E. Saskatoon, Sask., S7K 0X4, e-mail philip@thewaterclinic.com or phone 800-664-2561. Stadnyk is president of the Water Clinic and a member of the Canadian Water Quality Association. His views do not necessarily reflect those of The Western Producer.
