A new study by Rutgers School of Public Health researchers found that some New Jersey homes with systems designed to remove arsenic from their private wells may still be consuming water with high levels of the toxic element.
The study tested 62 homes with whole-house arsenic-removing water treatment systems and discovered that 71% of them had microparticles of arsenic water treatment media or water softener resin in their drinking water.
The systems, intended to remove dissolved arsenic from the water, may be malfunctioning and potentially creating a new exposure risk. Arsenic is a naturally occurring element and known carcinogen that can be found in rocks, soils, groundwater, and well water, particularly in Central and North Jersey.
Homeowners are advised to install a post-treatment sediment filter or switch to bottled water for all drinking and cooking until further investigation determines the cause of the malfunction. Simple water filters and boiling water are not effective in removing arsenic.
This study comes, coincidentally, after Lakewood Alerts reported on Wednesday that doctor’s offices have reported a spike in pneumonia cases in local children, saying the cause is likely due to tainted water. Arsenic does not cause pneumonia.
I’m confused. Is this a new issue or something at existed for a long time?
If it’s an older problem, what does this have to do with a recent spike in pneumonia?
If this is a new problem, what would trigger these malfunctions suddenly? (Could it be the JCP&L games with lowering the amount of energy being provided to homes?)