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Arsenic Water Filters

The Hazards of Drinking Water That Contains Arsenic

Exposure to arsenic through your drinking water can pose severe health risks for you and your family. Arsenic is a notoriously poisonous metalloid, which may enter into the supply of drinking water, through natural means or through industrial wastes. No matter what the form of arsenic you are exposed to, you need to take various preventive measures for protection from the ill effects of arsenic poisoning.

Arsenic is a natural element that is found in the earth’s crust and as such, the element can seep into the water of the area and contaminate the drinking water. If you live in an area where the natural sources of arsenic is known to be high, you should get the water of your region tested to find out for sure if you are exposed to the dangers of arsenic contamination. Since arsenic is tasteless and odorless, you shall not be able to make out if the water contains the contaminant. Contact your regional public health office to conduct the test. In addition, testing for arsenic in your urine shall also help to indicate recent exposure to arsenic. If the results prove that your water is indeed contaminated, you need to find ways that shall help you to minimize the risk of arsenic poisoning through drinking water.

When you consume drinking water containing arsenic, the toxin flows through your bloodstream and is distributed throughout the body. The results of a Canadian Research Institute on the effects of arsenic poisoning shows that exposure to very high levels of arsenic over a lifetime can increase your risk of bladder, liver and lung cancer.

Exposure to arsenic over years or decades may cause a number of diseases like decreased production of blood cells, abnormal heart beat, damage of blood vessels, numbness in hands and feet and discoloration of the skin. Chronic arsenic poisoning is different from long term poisoning and the effects can vary from individual to individual and from one geographical location to another.

The effects of acute or short term arsenic poisoning includes oesophageal and abdominal pain, bloody "rice water" diarrhea, vomiting, muscle cramps, weakness and flushing of the skin and in some cases even the loss of movement and sensory responses. In case of acute poisoning, Chelation therapy may be effective. But it should not be used to cure long term arsenic poisoning.

In long-term arsenic poisoning, the effects that are first noticeable are the changes in the skin pigmentation and then hyperkeratosis. Cancer sets in later and sometimes it shall take as long as a decade for the deadly disease to manifest itself. Arsenic is also known to cause the "black foot disease", though the finding on this is not exhaustive. In addition, studies have revealed that children and pregnant women are at greater risk from arsenic poisoning. Thus, it is important that you take adequate measures to purify the water so that the toxin does not enter your system.

• If your drinking water tests positive for arsenic content, look for an alternative source of water that is free from arsenic contaminants. If possible, connect to a public water distribution system.
• Invest in a water treatment device – a water filter – that shall help you to reduce the level of arsenic from water. Look for devices that are certified by an accredited certification organization like NSF. Remember to follow the manufactures guide for best results.
• It is harder to control arsenic contamination in rural places, because the water treatments are expensive and the area might not have the means to treat the drinking water. In that case, low cost means of using packets of chemicals at home can be availed to reduce arsenic content in your water.
• In some circumstances, availing low arsenic sources of water like  rainwater or treated surface water might also be a good option to keep your family safe from the ill effects of arsenic poisoning in drinking water.