Where and how common is arsenic found in drinking water?
Arsenic can enter the water supply from natural deposits in the earth or from industrial and agricultural pollution. Arsenic is a natural element used for a variety of purposes within industry and agriculture. It is also a byproduct of copper smelting, mining, and coal burning. Industries in the United States release thousands of pounds of arsenic into the environment every year. Once released, arsenic remains in the environment for a long time. It is widely believed that naturally occurring arsenic dissolves out of certain rock formations when ground water levels drop significantly. Surface arsenic-related pollutants enter the ground water system by gradually moving with the flow of ground water from rain, melting snow, and so on. High arsenic levels may come from certain fertilizers, animal feedlots, and industrial waste. High levels of arsenic found in well water are often used to indicate improper well construction, or the location or overuse of chemical fertilizers or herbicides.
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