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Arsenic (total) is a metal that enters water by erosion of natural deposits, runoff from glass and electronics processing. Potential health impacts associated with Arsenic (total) include cancer, cardiovascular or blood toxicity, developmental toxicity, endocrine toxicity, gastrointestinal or liver toxicity, kidney toxicity, neurotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, respiratory toxicity, and skin sensitivity. [read more] Sources of Arsenic (total):  | Sprawl and Urban Areas (road runoff, lawn pesticides, human waste) |  | Industry |  | Naturally Occurring (naturally present but increased for lands denuded by sprawl, agriculture, or industrial development) |
An Environmental Working Group analysis shows that 4.6 million people from 506 Florida communities drank tap water containing Arsenic (total) between 1998 and 2003. All of these people were exposed at levels exceeding health based recommendations for Arsenic (total). Exposure Summary | Fact: The federal government has set standards for 70 chemical pollutants in tap water, balancing health concerns and treatment costs. For fifty pollutants the legal limit is higher than health-based levels [see more]. | 4,621,770 | People drinking water contaminated with Arsenic (total) in Florida | 506 | Communities served water contaminated with Arsenic (total) in Florida | 4,621,770 | People drinking water contaminated with Arsenic (total) over health based limits in Florida | 506 | Communities served water with Arsenic (total) above health based limits in Florida |
Table. The most polluted communities in Florida 4.6 million Americans in 506 Florida communities were served tap water contaminated with Arsenic (total) above health based limits between 1998 and 2003 Ranked by highest average Arsenic (total) level | Rank | System
| Population Served
| Positive test results of total reported tests
| Average Level
(Range) |
|---|
| 1 | G & H Mhp
Mulberry, FL | 60 | 2 of 2 | 30.25 ppb
(28 to 32.5 ppb) | | 2 | Kiper Water System
Quincy, FL | 49 | 2 of 2 | 16.5 ppb
(14 to 19 ppb) | | 3 | Oakwood Acres Apts
Tampa, FL | 80 | 1 of 3 | 16 ppb
(0 to 48 ppb) | | 4 | Sizemore Rmh 1 (west)
Plant City, FL | 70 | 1 of 2 | 15.5 ppb
(0 to 31 ppb) | | 5 | River Park Mhp
Fort Pierce, FL | 125 | 1 of 7 | 15.29 ppb
(0 to 107 ppb) | | 6 | Boulevard Estates
Clearwater, FL | 297 | 1 of 1 | 14.7 ppb
(14.7 to 14.7 ppb) | | 7 | South Gate Home Owners, Inc.
Clearwater, FL | 275 | 1 of 1 | 14.1 ppb
(14.1 to 14.1 ppb) | | 8 | Pineview Mhp, Inc.
Lake City, FL | 82 | 2 of 2 | 12.5 ppb
(1 to 24 ppb) | | 9 | Sunrich Mobile Homes
North Fort Myers, FL | 90 | 2 of 2 | 11.85 ppb
(7 to 16.7 ppb) | | 10 | Brandon - Brent Water Plant
Lake City, FL | 200 | 2 of 2 | 11.35 ppb
(1.2 to 21.5 ppb) |
Next --> Health Summary Table. Health based limits for Arsenic (total)| Standard | Value | Systems Over | Population Over |
|---|
| Description |
|---|
| Maximum Contaminant Limit (MCL) (MCL) | 10 ppb (avg) | 11 | 1,978 | | The enforceable standard which defines the highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to health-based limits (Maximum Contaminant Level Goals, or MCLGs) as feasible using the best available analytical and treatment technologies and taking cost into consideration. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. | | Drinking Water Equivalent Level (DWEL) | 10 ppb (avg) | 11 | 1,978 | | A lifetime exposure concentration protective of adverse, noncarcinogenic health effects, that assumes all of the exposure to a contaminant is from drinking water. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. | | California Public Health Goals | <0.01 ppb (avg) | 506 | 4.6 million | | Defined by the State of California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) as the level of contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. For acutely toxic substances, levels are set at which scientific evidence indicates that no known or anticipated adverse effects on health will occur, plus an adequate margin-of safety. PHGs for carcinogens or other substances which can cause chronic disease shall be based solely on health effects without regard to cost impacts and shall be set at levels which OEHHA has determined do not pose any significant risk to health. | | EPA Human Health Water Quality Criteria | 0.02 ppb (avg) | 506 | 4.6 million | | Water quality criteria set by the US EPA provide guidance for states and tribes authorized to establish water quality standards under the Clean Water Act (CWA) to protect human health. These are non-enforceable standards based upon exposure by both drinking water and the contribution of water contamination to other consumed foods. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. |
Violation Summary Notice: No violation data is currently available for this contaminant in this state.
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