Arsenic is a poisonous metal that can enter water supplies from natural sources like wells and springs supplying our reservoirs. According to a 2003 United Nations University, or UNU, report and a 2000 World Health Organization, or WHO, report, 50 million people throughout Asia and India rely on arsenic contaminated water supplies. Arsenicosis, or arsenic poisoning, first produces light and dark skin spots and thickenings, followed by skin and internal organ cancers, and neurological and cardiac damage with chronic exposures of 5 to 20 years.
Skin
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that melanosis, the appearance of either dark or light skin spots, is usually the first sign of arsenic poisoning. Keratosis, coin-shaped skin thickenings, usually follow. Researchers at the Bangladesh Agricultural University reported in 2003 that the earliest signs of widespread well-water arsenic contamination in that country was the observation of melanosis and sores on the hands and feet of much of the population. After remediating the water supplies, some skin symptoms abated quickly while others lingered for many years.
As a result of observations worldwide, WHO and the United States have set an upper limit on water arsenic concentrations of 0.010 mg/L. As described by researchers at the University of Arizona, while investigating arsenic levels for the city of Tucson, the limit is equivalent to 1 tsp in 1,320 gallons of water.
Cancer
At a later stage of chronic arsenic exposure, according to WHO, usually after many years, some keratotic skin lesions transform into skin cancers. Chronic exposure also increases the incidence of cancer in almost all internal organs, notably the liver, kidneys, gastrointestinal system and lungs.
Heart and Brain
As arsenicosis progresses, cardiomyopathy, a pronounced cardiac weakness, hypertension and anemia are commonly observed. Neurological signs often accompany these changes with in-coordination, sensory losses, visual and cognitive difficulties. According to WHO, arsenic toxicity has been observed in children as young as 2 years of age, though most severe symptoms require up to five years of exposure. However, the degree of contamination can influence the time until symptom appearance.
Economics
It is well known that affordability of medical care can influence health, so the cost of water purification may have a health effect. According to Drinking Water Program officials with the State of Maine in 2005, a system called reverse osmosis is the best method, but it can cost between $800 and $1,500 to install in a home. However, the UNU report describes other, simpler systems of wood-charcoal and sedimentation procedures, achieving acceptable purification, which are affordable to the lowest income segments of the Bangladeshi population.
According to UNU reports, while Asia and India suffer the worst water contamination, Central and South America also record high levels over wide areas. The U.S. has only a few hot spots, and all municipal water systems are required to report and remediate supplies down to the accepted levels. The worst contamination coincides, in many cases, with world regions least able to afford remediation.
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