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Arsenic
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Arsenic in tap water

United States Icon
50
States Affected
People Icon
108
Million
People Affected
Skull Icon
6/10
Toxicity Rating
Health Effects

Bladder, lung, and skin cancer, skin damage, problems with the circulatory system

The legal limit is
Health Guideline
0.004 ppb
2,500x
what is considered unhealthy
Legal Limit
10 ppb
What is Arsenic?
Arsenic is a toxic chemical that is naturally found in the Earth’s crust in soil, rocks, and minerals. Arsenic also contaminates air, food, and water.
Why is Arsenic in my tap water?
Arsenic has been found in tap water in all 50 states. For 108 million Americans, arsenic has been found at levels above 0.004 parts per billion (ppb), the limit deemed safe by the California Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). You can’t see, smell, or taste arsenic, so it could be in your tap water without you knowing.
 There are several sources of arsenic contamination in tap water, including industry, agriculture, mining, metal production, coal power plants, and burning of fossil fuels. It can also leach from rocks into groundwater.  Historically, arsenic was used as a pesticide, resulting in contaminated soil and water in orchards and farm fields. Many residential areas have suffered contamination from wood that was preserved with arsenic to prevent rot and infestation.
Why is Arsenic in my tap water harmful?
Arsenic is highly toxic and causes a myriad of serious health problems. The U.S. EPA, U.S. National Toxicology Program, and the World Health Organization have declared arsenic to be a human carcinogen, based on evidence that arsenic causes bladder, lung, and skin cancers. It has also been linked to kidney, liver and prostate cancer. Long-term exposure to arsenic can also cause skin lesions, harm to the kidneys and other internal organs, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.
How much Arsenic is safe?
No amount of arsenic is safe, based on its extremely high toxicity and classification as a known carcinogen. The EWG has set an unenforceable maximum contaminant level goal of 0.004 ppb, the same as the state of California's public health goal, which is the amount that would limit arsenic-related cancer to 1 case in 1 million people.2 Despite these known safe limits, the allowable limit for arsenic is much higher at 10 ppb. This means that even if the amount of arsenic in your tap water is considered legal, it isn’t necessarily safe.
What can I do about Arsenic in my tap water?
Clearly Filtered® with Affinity® Filtration Technology gives you the power to remove up to 98.3% of arsenic from your tap water, giving you peace of mind that comes from knowing your drinking water is finally clean and safe. Basic water filters that rely on simple carbon or charcoal are only effective at removing unpleasant odors and taste. These filters are not capable of stopping arsenic and instead allows it to pass right through the filter into the water you're drinking. More sophisticated technology like Clearly Filtered is required to provide this type of contaminant removal.
How does Clearly Filtered do at Removing Arsenic in tap water?
Clearly Filtered with
Affinity Filtration Technology Product
Water Pitcher Filter
Under-the-Sink FIlter
Water Bottle Filter
Refrigerator Filter
Arsenic in tap water Removal
98.3%
94.3%
0
94.3%
References

1. US EPA. National primary Drinking Water Regulations. https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/national-primary-drinking-water-regulations. Accessed September 2, 2019.

2. California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. Arsenic. https://oehha.ca.gov/chemicals/arsenic. Accessed September 10, 2019.

3. EWG Tap Water Database. Arsenic. https://www.ewg.org/tapwater/contaminant.php?contamcode=1005. Accessed June 16, 2021.