Water filtration experts at Green Water Technologies answer questions about arsenic, a common contaminant in untreated drinking water that kills thousands of people each year.
Q: What exactly is arsenic?
Green Water Technologies: Arsenic is a chemical element commonly used to strengthen electrical devices. It is odorless and colorless and is highly dissolvable in water.
Q: Is arsenic dangerous to humans when consumed through groundwater/drinking water?
Green Water Technologies: Yes. Though it has many uses in industrial applications, arsenic is highly toxic and should not be consumed. Arsenates, the salts formed from arsenic, are a major concern for people living in areas without access to properly treated water. Arsenic poisoning through consumption of contaminated water kills tens of thousands of people each year and in epidemic proportions in some countries. Arsenic may kill instantly or compromise the immune system over time, leading to a decreased resistance of many viruses including the H1N1 Influenza strain. Long-term exposure to arsenic can also lead to skin cancer.