Arsenic is a naturally occurring, highly toxic element that can find its way into your drinking water supply, so it’s critical for your health that you know which water filters remove arsenic.
According to the World Health Organization, “the greatest threat to public health from arsenic originates from contaminated groundwater.” High levels of inorganic arsenic are found to be naturally present in the groundwater of many countries around the world … including the United States.
Further, the World Health Organization also reports that the main sources of arsenic exposure are drinking water, food prepared with contaminated water, and crops irrigated with contaminated water.
You may not have direct control over the water farmers use to irrigate their crops, but you can control the quality of water in your home.
Why You Want to Remove Arsenic from Your Water
Arsenic is a potent poison and a known carcinogen. Even in trace amounts, long-term exposure to arsenic in drinking water can have severe health consequences.
Some of the health issues linked to arsenic include the following:
- Cancer. Long-term exposure to arsenic in water has been linked to various types of cancer, such as skin, bladder, and lung cancer. The World Health Organization and the Environmental Protection Agency have set strict guidelines to limit arsenic levels in drinking water to protect against these risks.
- Cardiovascular Health. Chronic exposure to arsenic has been associated with heart problems, including high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, and an increased risk of heart disease.
- Neurological Effects. Arsenic exposure can lead to neurological symptoms, including numbness, tingling, and memory impairment. It may also affect cognitive development in children and increase mood disorders in people of any age.
- Skin Problems. Consuming arsenic-contaminated water can result in skin issues, such as lesions, changes in pigmentation, and hyperkeratosis (hard patches on the palms and soles of the feet). These are usually the first symptoms of long-term arsenic exposure and may be precursors to skin cancer.
- Endocrine Disruption: Arsenic can disrupt the normal functioning of the endocrine system, potentially leading to hormone-related health problems.
How to Tell If You Have Arsenic in Your Water
Arsenic can be hard to detect because it’s odorless and tasteless. To identify the presence of arsenic in your water, consider the following methods:
- Water Quality Report: Start by checking your annual water quality report, provided by your local water utility. It will detail the levels of various contaminants, including arsenic
- Independent Testing: If you have a private well, you have the option of independent water testing. Contact a certified laboratory to conduct a water test to check for arsenic levels.
- In-Home Water Testing: You can easily test the water in your home for harmful contaminants, including arsenic, with an in-home water test.
Which Water Filters Remove Arsenic?
Removing arsenic from your water is of paramount importance to protect your health. The following water treatment methods can effectively remove arsenic from your drinking water:
- Reverse Osmosis Systems (RO): Reverse osmosis is considered one of the most effective methods for arsenic removal. RO systems use a semi-permeable membrane to filter out not only arsenic but also a wide range of other contaminants.
- Activated Alumina Filters: These filters are specifically designed for arsenic removal and can be installed at the point of use or point of entry to treat all the water in your home.
- Anion Exchange Resins: Certain resins, like hybrid anion exchange resins, can effectively remove arsenic from water. They can be used as part of a whole-house water filtration system or at the point of use.
Contact Us for a Free In-Home Water Test
If you have concerns about the presence of arsenic or other contaminants in your water, it’s crucial to take action to protect your health and well-being. To accurately assess the quality of your tap water and identify potential arsenic contamination, we recommend scheduling a free in-home water test with our experienced team.
Our experts will perform a thorough analysis of your water to detect any harmful contaminants, including arsenic and chlorine. Then, based on the results, we’ll provide tailored recommendations to ensure your water is clean, safe, and free of arsenic.
Don’t compromise your health by allowing arsenic to linger in your water. Take control of your water quality today by contacting us for a free in-home water test.
Click here to schedule a free in-home water test, courtesy of EcoWater of Central California.
In the meantime, to learn more about Home Water Filtration Systems, check out our Frequently Asked Questions Page.