Arsenic

Arsenic is a semi-metallic element with the chemical symbol "As." It is a member of the nitrogen family, occurs naturally in rocks and soils, and can contaminate water that comes in contact with these rocks and soils. Arsenic is odorless and tasteless. It can combine with other elements to form inorganic and organic arsenicals. In general, inorganic derivatives are regarded as more toxic than the organic forms. While food can contain both inorganic and organic arsenicals, primarily inorganic forms are present in water.

Exposure to arsenic at high levels poses potential serious health effects as it is a known human carcinogen, or cancer-causing agent. It has also been reported to affect the vascular system in humans and has been associated with the development of diabetes.

Well water in certain regions of the U.S., particularly in the southwest, can exceed the Environmental Protection Agency's standards for arsenic in drinking water. Your state's Department of Natural Resources or Geological Survey Office should be able to inform you if your area is prone to the presence of high levels of arsenic.

Observable symptoms of arsenic poisoning are: thickening and discoloration of the skin, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, numbness in hands and feet, partial paralysis, and blindness.

Reverse osmosis systems are effective in treating certain forms of arsenic contamination. If you water supply is contaminated with Trivalent arsenic (also known as Arsenic 3, Arsenic III, or Arsenite), you should pre-chlorinate your water to transform the Trivalent arsenic into Pentavalent arsenic (also known as Arsenic 5, Arsenic V, or Arsenate) which can be removed with a reverse osmosis system.

We recommend the following home reverse osmosis drinking water treatment system to remove arsenic:

 ClearChoice Reverse Osmosis (RO)System