More than 500,000 New Hampshire homeowners using well water may be at greater risk of cancer and other illnesses due to daily doses of arsenic in their water, according to recent studies.
Drinking as little as 10 micrograms of arsenic per liter of water on a regular basis was linked to death and an increase in chronic and fatal diseases, according to a study in Bangladesh.
Arsenic is a metal-like element that exists in runoff from manmade sources, including hide-tanning, pesticides, pressure-treated lumber preservatives and coal ash, according to the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services. . It also naturally occurs in New Hampshire bedrock.
Bruce Stanton, director of Dartmouth’s Superfund Research Program, which is studying toxic metals in New Hampshire water said New Hampshire is showing arsenic levels of 10 to 50 micrograms per liter.
State law requires municipalities to test their water each year for contaminants, but private well owners are not required to test. The majority of homeowners in New Hampshire have private well water.
READ THIS STORY AT UNIONLEADER.COM
More than 500,000 New Hampshire homeowners using well water may be at greater risk of cancer and other illnesses due to daily doses of arsenic in their water, according to recent studies.
Drinking as little as 10 micrograms of arsenic per liter of water on a regular basis was linked to death and an increase in chronic and fatal diseases, according to a study in Bangladesh.
Arsenic is a metal-like element that exists in runoff from manmade sources, including hide-tanning, pesticides, pressure-treated lumber preservatives and coal ash, according to the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services. . It also naturally occurs in New Hampshire bedrock.
Bruce Stanton, director of Dartmouth’s Superfund Research Program, which is studying toxic metals in New Hampshire water said New Hampshire is showing arsenic levels of 10 to 50 micrograms per liter.
State law requires municipalities to test their water each year for contaminants, but private well owners are not required to test. The majority of homeowners in New Hampshire have private well water.
READ THIS STORY AT UNIONLEADER.COM
