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Arsenic in Nova Scotian groundwater
The Science of the Total Environment
|October 1, 1984
Summary
Most well water in Halifax County exceeds safe arsenic levels. 70% of tested samples contained inorganic arsenic above Canada's drinking water guideline, posing a potential health risk.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Public Health
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Arsenic contamination in groundwater is a significant environmental and public health concern.
- Drinking water guidelines are established to protect human health from arsenic exposure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify inorganic arsenic concentrations in private well water supplies in Halifax County, Nova Scotia.
- To assess compliance with the Canadian maximum acceptable drinking water guideline for arsenic.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 94 duplicate well water samples using ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate-methyl isobutyl ketone graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry.
- Validation of results using an automated hydride-evolution electrothermal-atomisation atomic-absorption spectrophotometric method.
Main Results:
- 66 out of 94 analyzed samples (70%) showed arsenic concentrations exceeding the Canadian guideline of 50 ng As/ml.
- The study identified widespread arsenic contamination in local groundwater sources.
Conclusions:
- A high prevalence of elevated inorganic arsenic levels in Halifax County well water poses a risk to residents.
- Further investigation and potential remediation strategies are warranted to ensure safe drinking water.