University Study Examines Arsenic Levels in the Water at a California Prison and Several Central Valley Communities

Recently, a study by researchers from the University of California – Berkeley and Virginia Tech was published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives. In it, two decades of water quality data involving arsenic levels from three Central Valley communities and Kern Valley State Prison was examined.

Arsenic in water is tasteless and odorless. Naturally-occurring arsenic can be found in the groundwater in some parts of California where it has entered drinking water supplies from natural deposits in the earth. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that it is widely believed that naturally-occurring arsenic dissolves out of certain rock formations when groundwater levels drop significantly.

“This study found arsenic levels were at times above regulatory limits, and in some instances, the elevated levels were recorded for extended periods of time,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) recognizes arsenic and inorganic arsenic compounds as group 1 carcinogens. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that arsenic has been linked to a number of cancers, including cancer of the bladder, lungs, skin, kidney, nasal passages, liver and prostate. The maximum concentration of arsenic in drinking water allowed by the EPA is 10 ppb.”

It’s important to recognize that the EPA does not regulate private wells and the agency estimates that more than 13 million households in the United States rely on private wells for their drinking water. Private well owners are responsible for the safety of their water.

To help identify potential arsenic exposure risks in California, the water quality experts at LA Testing provide laboratory services and sampling supplies. These tests are available to utilities, water system operators, wastewater treatment providers, regulators, private well owners and the general public.

To learn more about testing for arsenic or other environmental, health and safety issues, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794.

About LA Testing

LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for indoor environmental quality testing of asbestos, mold, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, CDC ELITE, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro and San Diego.

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