http://www.boston.com/dailynews/126/region/One_fifth_of_public_water_supp:.shtml

One-fifth of public water supplies test high for arsenic

By Associated Press, 5/6/2001 13:30

LEWISTON, Maine (AP) Arsenic levels in an estimated 20 percent of Maine's public water supplies are higher than those now considered safe for human consumption, according to state officials.

For Mainers who draw their water from private sources, the percentage could be higher.

Arsenic, a common element in the earth's crust, has been linked to bladder and lung cancer and other illnesses.

Surface water is relatively free of arsenic, which collects in rocks and seeps into underground water sources, according to state geologist Robert Marvinney. Arsenic has never been a problem in places like Lewiston-Auburn, Greater Portland and other large water systems that draw from lakes and ponds.

Tests by the state of arsenic levels in water come at a time when the Bush administration has delayed lowering the federal limit on arsenic, pending further study.

State toxicologist Dr. Andrew Smith said the current federal arsenic standard of 50 parts per billion presents a lifetime risk of cancer at 1 person in 1,000 a level he said is widely recognized as too risky.

Smith said he recommends a 10 parts per billion limit endorsed by the World Health Organization in 1999, which lowers the risk to 1 in 10,000.

Half of all drinking water in Maine comes from private wells, Smith said, but the state has no formal program to deal with water quality issues and questions.

Smith said state data on arsenic is inconsistent and incomplete. He said some data indicate that as much as 10 to 15 percent of all Maine groundwater supplies have elevated arsenic levels, while other data peg the number at 2 to 5 percent.

''We need to get a better sense of where we are,'' he said.

-- Anonymous, May 07, 2001