Sources: Arsenic can enter drinking water supplies from natural deposits in the earth or from agricultural and industrial practices.
Health Effects: Chronic exposure to low doses of arsenic in drinking water can lead to various adverse health effects:
- Skin problems (e.g., discoloration and lesions)
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Diabetes
- Neurological effects
- Pulmonary diseases
- Developmental effects
- Immune system disorders
- Various types of cancers, particularly skin, lung, bladder, and kidney cancers.
Filtering Arsenic:
- Reverse Osmosis (RO): This is one of the most effective methods for reducing arsenic levels in water. It uses a semipermeable membrane to remove arsenic as well as other contaminants.
- Activated Alumina: This is a type of filter media that is very effective at removing arsenic and fluoride.
- Ion Exchange: This method exchanges arsenic ions with other ions in water, typically chloride or hydroxide.
- Distillation: Boiling water and then recondensing the steam back into water can be effective for reducing arsenic levels, although it is less practical for large volumes of water.
- Adsorptive Media: Certain media can adsorb arsenic from water, including modified activated alumina and iron-enhanced activated carbon.
If you’re concerned about potential contaminants in your tap water, it’s essential to get your water tested to identify which toxins are present and in what amounts. Only then can you select the most appropriate filtration method.
Remember, while arsenic is indeed hazardous, other contaminants like lead, mercury, chloramine, and even microbial pathogens can also pose significant health risks. Always ensure your water filtration solution addresses all potential threats present in your tap water.
Filter it out:
- Reverse Osmosis (RO)
- Activated Alumina
- Ion Exchange
- Distillation
- Adsorptive Media
Test your water, and know what’s in it. Stay safe from arsenic & more!