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Health Effects of Arsenic in Drinking Water

Arsenic occurs naturally in the environment. It has no smell or taste, so if it is in drinking water, people have no way of knowing that they are ingesting arsenic. According the American Cancer Society, arsenic in drinking water is the most common source of human arsenic exposure throughout the world. Ingesting high levels of arsenic can cause serious health problems. However, the levels of arsenic in U.S. drinking water is considered to be at a safe level.

  1. Immediate Toxic Effects

    • People who ingest large amounts of arsenic may experience severe vomiting, nervous system damage, circulation and blood disturbances and death. According to the Green Facts Organization, if arsenic is not fatal, it may cause skin color changes, a decrease in the production of red blood cells, loss of sensation and tingling in the limbs, a break up of red blood cells, brain damage and an enlarged liver.

    Cardiovascular Problems

    • Cardiovascular health problems can be caused by arsenic in drinking water. Those who ingest too much arsenic may experience heart attacks, high blood pressure and other circulatory problems. According to the Green Facts Organization, cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure are considered to happen more often than any other arsenic-related cardiovascular ailments.

    Lung Cancer

    • Those who are exposed to arsenic may develop lung cancer if they inhale high enough levels of it and are exposed to it for a prolonged period of time. According to the Green Facts Organization, those who smoke and inhale arsenic have a higher risk of developing lung cancer.

    Other Cancers

    • There are other cancers associated with arsenic in drinking water. These cancers include bladder cancer, liver cancer, kidney cancer and skin cancer. According to the National Resources Defense Council, a study performed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency in 2000 concluded that approximately 56 million Americans were consuming drinking water with unsafe levels of arsenic.

    Arsenic in Drinking Water

    • Arsenic most often enters water supplies from either agricultural and industrial pollution or from natural deposits already in the Earth. According to the National Resources Defense Council, every year industries throughout the United States release thousands of pounds of arsenic into the environment.

    U.S. Water Safety

    • According to a 2000 report by the National Resources Defense Council, more than 34 million American's drink tap water that was supplied by systems that contain what is considered average levels of arsenic. These average levels were determined to pose an unacceptable cancer risk. According to the American Cancer Society, as of 2006 U.S. drinking water is permitted to have only 10 micrograms of inorganic arsenic per liter. This is said to be a safe level.

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