Arsenic Analysis

What is Arsenic?

Arsenic is a naturally occurring element found in rocks and soil. It is odorless and tasteless. Arsenic is released into water through the dissolution of minerals and ores in groundwater. Arsenic can also come from human activities, such as mining or copper smelting. Approximately 90 percent of industrial arsenic in the US is currently used as a wood preservative.

Where is it found?

Arsenic tends to be found more in ground water sources than in lakes and rivers. Increased demand for ground water my cause water levels to drop and release arsenic from rock formations. In the United States the EPA standard is 10 parts per billion. Western states and some parts of the Midwest and New England currently report higher levels of arsenic. There are many geographic "hot spots" that exceed the 10 ppb standard.

How does it affect your health?

Low levels of arsenic in water pose a slight health risk. The more exposure to arsenic over time, the greater the risk of experiencing health effects. Arsenic health effects include diseases of the cardiovascular system, kidneys, skin, nervous system, or lead to various forms of cancer affecting the bladder, lungs, skin, kidney, nasal passages, liver, and prostate.

The US problems with Arsenic are small compared to the problems in SE Asia where millions of people are dying from poisoning. Exposure to arsenic via drinking water in China has been shown to cause a severe disease of the blood vessels. In Bangladesh, some estimate arsenic in drinking water will cause 200,000 - 270,000 deaths from cancer (NRC, 1998; Smith, et al, 2000).

Cogent Environmental products for Arsenic Analysis

Products manufactured by Cogent Environmental and distributed in North America by ASA Analytics are used for portable arsenic analysis in field applicatons, such as screening and testing of individual water supplies, on-line analysis of samples from arsenic removal processes including raw, treated and blended water. These products can also be configured to detect other heavy metals under certain conditions.

Arsenic Analysis Links

Basic Information on Arsenic Analysis

What is Arsenic? - EPA

Arsenic in Drinking Water - US EPA

Arsenic in Groundwater FAQ's - USGS

Arsenic Risk in New England Groundwater USGS

Naturally Occurring Arsenic in Southeast Michigan Ground Water

Relation of Arsenic Concentrations in Ground Water to bedrock lithology in eastern New England

Health Effects of GeoChemistry of Arsenic and Manganese

Map of US showing Arsenic Concentrations

A Retrospective Analysis on the Occurrence of Arsenic in Ground-Water Resources of the United States and Limitations in Drinking-Water-Supply Characterizations

Mapping Arsenic in Groundwater

Arsenic Cycling in Ground Water: Processes Leading to Widespread High Concentrations

Relation of Arsenic, Iron, and Manganese in Ground Water to Aquifer Type, Bedrock Lithogeochemistry, and Land Use in the New England Coastal Basins

The influence of geology & land use on arsenic in
stream sediments and ground waters in New England