Owners of private wells should test for arsenic, according to a statement from the Washington State Department of Health.
Naturally occurring arsenic can seep into well water from rocks, especially in western Skagit County and all of Island County, which were listed among eight areas in Washington known to have higher arsenic levels in groundwater.
Arsenic is linked to increased risk of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, nerve damage and skin changes.
Public utilities test for arsenic and attempt to keep it below 10 parts per one billion parts of water.
Department of Health official Jim White recommended testing for arsenic in the winter and summer each year, as concentrations can fluctuate.
If the concentration appears higher than 10 parts per billion, White recommends implementing a filtration system or some other method of removing the chemical. At rates higher than 50 parts per billion, people should immediately stop drinking the water or using it for food preparation.
Water tests cost from $10 to $30, and more information can be found at http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/dw/our_main_pages/arsenic.htm, and for information on removing arsenic from drinking water, call the Environmental Protection Agency at 800-426-4791.
State recommends testing well water for arsenic
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