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State advises well water testing for arsenic and uranium

http://cptv.vo.llnwd.net/o2/ypmwebcontent/Neena/ns%20130328%20arsenic.mp3

Connecticut health officials are suggesting that homeowners with private wells test their water for arsenic and uranium. Wells across the state have been found to contain dangerously high levels of those chemicals.

 Arsenic and uranium are both naturally-occurring chemicals that are common in bedrock. So in rocky New England, they’re pretty common. At acceptable levels, they’re not a problem: that’s 10 parts per billion for arsenic and 30 parts per billion for uranium.

But state epidemiologist Brian Toal says lately he’s seen reports of arsenic at 40 parts per billion in private wells. And in some cases, uranium was found at more than 500 parts per billion. In the past, officials thought they were just isolated cases. Not anymore.

 “This was more of a statewide problem than we had previously thought," Toal says.

Arsenic is also in the air and even in our food, especially seafood. But Toal says it’s more likely to be toxic in water.

“Arsenic in drinking water is a carcinogen. It increases risk of skin, lung and bladder cancer.”

 Arsenic can also cause lesions on the skin and damage to the nervous and respiratory systems, among other problems. Experts know less about the effects of uranium, but Toal says it could affect kidney function. He says it’s relatively cheap to test for these chemicals in well water – he’s talked to labs who’ll charge less than $100 for both. And if the lab finds contamination at dangerous levels, there are filters available to fix the problem, though they could cost thousands of dollars.

The state estimates that 400,000 people in Connecticut get their water from private wells. Officials recommend testing for arsenic and uranium every five years, or when selling a house or drilling a new well. 

 

 

 

 

 

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SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.