Title: Arsenic: Health Effects and Exposure - HealthyChildren.org
Headings: Arsenic: Health Effects and Exposure
Safety & Prevention
Arsenic: Health Effects and Exposure
Sources of Exposure
Health Effects
Prevention of Arsenic Exposure

Content: Drinking water can also contain small amounts of inorganic arsenic. Health Effects
Arsenic can affect every organ. Inorganic arsenic, in particular, has been associated with serious health effects including bladder, lung, and skin cancers. Prevention of Arsenic Exposure
Public health policies have primarily focused on control of arsenic in water. The EPA, through the Safe Drinking Water Act, is required to regulate the concentration of arsenic in water. Beginning in 1947, the maximum contaminant level of arsenic in water was 50 parts per billion (ppb). Following recommendations by the Institute of Medicine, the acceptable level was lowered to 10 ppb. Lower standards have been proposed to reduce cancer risk, but municipal water systems are not currently capable of reducing levels further at reasonable cost with existing technology. The EPA also banned most home pesticide uses in 1991, and is phasing out some other industrial; i.e., agricultural, uses of arsenic.