A new study found that tens of millions of people in Bangladesh have been exposed to poisonous levels of arsenic from contaminated groundwater. Millions of villagers get their water from private wells that have naturally high levels of arsenic.
The Lancet study found that as many as 77 million people, or half the population of Bangladesh, may have been exposed to toxic levels of arsenic. They followed 12,000 Bangladeshis over the course of 10 years and found more than 20% of deaths were caused by arsenic.
Chronic arsenic exposure can lead to heart disease and cancers of the liver, kidney, bladders and skin—even at relatively low levels of exposure:
Compared to those exposed to the lowest arsenic levels (less than 10 microgrammes of arsenic per litre of water), those with levels of 10-50ppb had a 34% higher risk of death.
The World Health Organization calls this “the largest mass poisoning of a population in history”. But what’s going on in Bangladesh is not unique. More than 70 countries around the world have issues with arsenic in their groundwater including the U.S.
The Minnesota Department of Health has found that 15% of private wells in Minnesota exceed 10ppb of Arsenic as shown on this map:
Minnesota Arsenic levels
Premier Water has a successful track record of removing both Arsenic III and IV with reverse osmosis drinking water systems, and Pureoflow whole-house/business purification systems. Call us at (952) 479-4553 to find out more.
