Arsenic

Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL)

0.010 mg/L

Potential Health Effects
(from ingestion of water)

Skin, nervous system toxicity

Potential Source of Contaminant

Natural deposits, smelters, glass, electronics wastes, orchards

Applicable NSF/ANSI Standard(s)

Standard 53
Standard 58
Standard 62

Water Treatment Technologies Certified by NSF for Reduction of this Contaminant

Adsorption
Reverse Osmosis
Distillation

Special Notes

Arsenic can be found in water in two different forms:

1. Pentavalent Arsenic (also known as Arsenic 5, Arsenic V, or Arsenate)

2. Trivalent Arsenic (also known as Arsenic 3, Arsenic III, or Arsenite)

It is important for consumers to determine which type of arsenic is present in their water prior to selecting a water treatment device. Those individuals with pentavalent arsenic can select either reverse osmosis or distillation. Individuals with trivalent arsenic can select distillation, or consider adding chlorine to their water to convert the trivalent arsenic to pentavalent arsenic.