Arsenic in the water and its removal

Arsenic (AS) is a well known toxic metalloid. It can appear in organic or anorganic form. Thanks to human production arsenic often results from a metallurgical industry, dye production or during fossil fuels combustion. Arsenic can be found in electric plant ash digest or in mine waters. Together with arsenic, phosphorus is often found, too, so we find them in washing machines waste.

Effects on health

Arsenic is very poisonous and in long-term usage of water with its content can cause severe chronical diseases, ekzemas and allergies. Even heart and vessels related diseases are a threat, and it also affects miscariaging. Arsenic causes cancer and is mutagenic. For example skin cancer. It is a nerve poison and it settles in hair.

Acute intoxication has been reported after using a well water containing 1,3 – 20 mg/l of arsenic. Symptoms – digestion apparatus problems, skin and nervous system infliction.

It appears in two forms, As (III) or As (V), where As (III) is more poisonous, harder to remove and sadly also more common.

Limits of arsenic in the water

• Drinkable water: 0,01 mg/l highest limit number (HLN) for arsenic (notice number 252/2004 Co.)
• Packaged infant and spring water: HLN 0,005 mg/l (according to the attachment nr. 2 to the notice 275/2004 Co.)
• Packaged natural mineral waters: HLN 0,01 mg/l (according to the attachment nr. 1 to the notice 275/2004 Co.)
• Underground waters: Limits according to the Methodical instruction of Ministry of Environment (Bulletin of MoE 3/1996) in mg/l are A=5, B=50, C=100

Usage of arsenic

Arsenic gets used less and less. It’s usually a part of wood conservants, soaps, dyes and in agriculture.

Removal of arsenic from water

Arsenic attaches to iron (specifically it adsorbs on hydrated oxides of Fe and AL) and it filtrates altogether with it, too. The efficiency can be reduced when the content of iron in the water  is small. But even that can be well solved.

The second option is an absorption filtration in a pressure filter filled with a special mixture.