What’s in your water? A well-known risk for arsenic toxicity

Arsenic cannot be tasted, seen or smelled and can vary in concentration between water wells even in condensed areas. American domestic well water is not regulated to meet the same drinking water standards as other types of water supplies and often contains arsenic. If arsenic is not detected in a well water sample, it is unlikely to be found later. Conversely, if it is detected in a new well, it is recommended to retest six months later as levels may fluctuate in the first months following well construction. It is up to the well owner to test their water and remove arsenic through commercially available water filters. If it is not detected and removed via filtration, a variety of serious, yet common, medical conditions may arise from chronic arsenic exposure, some of which are life-threatening. These include diabetes mellitus, hypertension, skin cancer, renal, bladder and lung cancers, polyneuropathy and cardiac QTc prolongation. Testing is best done through urine speciation if an initial total urine arsenic concentration is elevated. Consider a complete blood count, renal and liver function tests, an electrocardiogram as well as a urinalysis assessing for evidence of hematuria when examining patients with histories concerning for chronic arsenic exposure.