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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 8.1 million people from 1,267 Texas 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]. | 8,145,634 | People drinking water contaminated with Arsenic (total) in Texas | 1,267 | Communities served water contaminated with Arsenic (total) in Texas | 8,145,634 | People drinking water contaminated with Arsenic (total) over health based limits in Texas | 1,267 | Communities served water with Arsenic (total) above health based limits in Texas |
Table. The most polluted communities in Texas 8.1 million Americans in 1,267 Texas 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 | Bruni Rural Water Supply Commission
Bruni, TX | 438 | 7 of 7 | 90.87 ppb
(82 to 104 ppb) | | 2 | Jim Hogg County WCID 2
Hebbronville, TX | 5,010 | 16 of 16 | 69.94 ppb
(11.9 to 101 ppb) | | 3 | Freer WCID
Freer, TX | 2,859 | 3 of 3 | 40.3 ppb
(38.5 to 41.8 ppb) | | 4 | Quailwood Water System
Houston, TX | 45 | 1 of 1 | 39.3 ppb
(39.3 to 39.3 ppb) | | 5 | City of Seagraves
Seagraves, TX | 2,334 | 2 of 2 | 39.25 ppb
(34.9 to 43.6 ppb) | | 6 | Elm Grove Mobile Home Park
Lubbock, TX | 42 | 2 of 2 | 38.55 ppb
(34.8 to 42.3 ppb) | | 7 | Wellman Water Supply Corporation
Wellman, TX | 225 | 2 of 2 | 38.3 ppb
(37.3 to 39.3 ppb) | | 8 | Hackberry Creek Subdivision
Dayton, TX | 165 | 2 of 2 | 36.5 ppb
(35.8 to 37.2 ppb) | | 9 | Brazoria County Detention Center 2
Angleton, TX | 1,160 | 1 of 1 | 35.5 ppb
(35.5 to 35.5 ppb) | | 10 | City of Kenedy
Kenedy, TX | 7,502 | 2 of 2 | 34.9 ppb
(34.3 to 35.5 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) | 144 | 159 thousand | | 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) | 144 | 159 thousand | | 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) | 1,267 | 8.1 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) | 1,267 | 8.1 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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