As the title stated, routine testing of well water yielded startling results… near an Elementary School in Durham, Connecticut.
Testing of water from several wells showed higher than ‘normal’ amounts of sodium, sulfates, hardness and… dissolved arsenic.
DURHAM — Traces of arsenic in some of the town’s wells have prompted the Department of Health to encouraging residents to test their water, according to a press release posted on the department’s website.
People who live or work around Brewster Elementary School are advised to have their water tested within the next three to six weeks. The department is also asking residents to fill out and submit a report — also on the department’s website — so officials can determine the extent of contamination.
Arsenic, which causes health problems like skin discoloration (melanosis), hardening of the skin (keratosis) and cancer, can contaminate groundwater naturally and through human activities such as mining. It can also come from pesticides and fertilizers that contain arsenic. ( source )
Health officials went on to say that although certain area wells did show elevated levels of arsenic contamination, people do not need to get alarmed just yet. They do not have enough test data to reach any firm conclusions and would like the private well owners to lend a hand and by conducting testing and reporting the results via a form currently available on the Durham Department of Health web site.
For those not aware of the dangers arsenic in drinking water may pose, take a look at some of the prior articles posted on this site:
- What is Arsenic and Can It Harm You?
- Study: Arsenic in Water and Diabetes
- Study: Exposure to Low Levels of Arsenic Lowers Influenza Resistance
Can the general public perform arsenic testing on its own safely?
Absolutely. The Arsenic Quick™ line of arsenic in water test kits offers allows users to quickly and accurately test for dissolved arsenic (As3 & As5) in drinking water in as little as 12 minutes.
Below you will find links to the three most popular Arsenic Quick™ test kits offered in our Water Test Kit Store: