Are There High Levels of Arsenic In Your Drinking Water?

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After a recent study published in a British medical journal stating that up to some 70 million people living in Bangladesh are exposed to levels of arsenic in their drinking water that are toxic, many other people are starting to wonder if their drinking water is safe. Ironically the arsenic-laced water in Bangladesh has been found in wells that have been dug over the past few decades to help provide an alternate water source that would be safer than other sources they may be using.

Arsenic is a known poison, one that we relate to something like an assassination. But arsenic and derivatives of it are used in certain industries like the agricultural and lumber industries. It also occurs naturally in soil and rock, which makes underground wells a potential threat.

If you have a private well, you should regularly test for arsenic and start shopping for a reverse osmosis water filter if the levels are too high. A well can contain dangerous contaminants that cause a range of health problems and take years off of your life.

If you use municipal water, the levels should be safe as they are regularly tested by the water treatment plant. But it still doesn’t hurt to have a water filter if you are using city water too. Filtering is much less expensive than buying bottled, and it makes the water taste better. There are many water filtration systems available, including faucet water filters and under-sink filters.

If you are traveling, camping or driving across country, you may want to consider a countertop filter or a powered water filtration system or a simple pitcher water filter to ensure you have safe and clean water during your travels as well. There is a variety of sizes, shapes and styles from which to choose, so it is pretty easy to find one that fits your specific needs.