Drinking water in the UK is said to be of good quality, and most people think that it is, yet recently there have been a few fluoride and chlorine scares as well as some pollution from medicinal and recreational drugs, now we have another problem- arsenic in the drinking water!
According to recent research conducted by the University of Manchester and the British Geological Survey and including experts from the Health Protection Agency (HPA), there are increased levels of arsenic in several private water supplies feeding homes in parts of Cornwall and they suspect that it is the same in other parts of the UK.
The tests done by the recent British Geological Survey/Health Protection Agency study focused on individuals living in remote areas where drinking water is accessed from ground-water wells or bore holes. Those affected have higher levels of arsenic in their urine, which confirms that they were consuming the toxin. Authors of the study stressed that individuals receiving water from utility companies across the country are not affected, as their supplies are treated.
Arsenic is a known carcinogenic, but 5% of private water supplies had concentrations of arsenic exceeding the maximum safe levels set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the levels of arsenic in 5% of homes breached World Health Organisation maximum levels.
A spokesman for the research said: “After adjustments were made for less toxic or harmless arsenic forms derived from eating seafood, it became apparent that the private water supplies of these householders was the most substantial route of toxic inorganic arsenic exposure.â€
Arsenic is believed to be responsible for various cancers, including bladder cancer, which has been found to be higher in areas where there are high levels of arsenic in the water.
Cornwall’s arsenic problem stems from the fact that it was a very important mining area until the early 20th century, making the geology in the area rich in tin and tungsten and high arsenic rocks and sediments; this has contributed to the high arsenic concentrations found in these supplies, according to the UK research.
According to Lead Author Mr Middleton, “These findings have important implications regarding the water quality of private supplies used for human consumption, not just in Cornwall, but across the UK and Europe.â€
Buy water cooler or rent water cooler from Living-Water.
