Study estimates about 2.1 million people using wells high in arsenic: USGS research directly supports federal agencies concerned with public health—specifically, understanding natural hazards in private domestic drinking water and the risk they pose to human health.
The USGS and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are mapping and characterizing the arsenic hazard in private well water across the Nation. Together, we are developing models that span the Nation so that more complete data can be used to estimate burden of arsenic exposure for the private domestic well use population of the United States. The estimates can then be used to assess areas that are un-sampled as well as to link to human health outcome data (such as cancers and birth outcomes) so that ecological-level studies can be undertaken.
Specifically, this study’s objectives are to:
- Estimate the probability of having high arsenic in domestic wells across the Nation; and
- Estimate the population with high-arsenic well water
The findings of the study are highlighted here: https://www.usgs.gov/news/study-estimates-about-21-million-people-using-wells-high-arsenic.
The report for the study is here: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.est.7b02881.
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Arsenic and Drinking Water
- Overview
Study estimates about 2.1 million people using wells high in arsenic: USGS research directly supports federal agencies concerned with public health—specifically, understanding natural hazards in private domestic drinking water and the risk they pose to human health.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. Visit Media to see details.Map showing Arsenic probability in the conterminous U.S. (Public domain.) The USGS and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are mapping and characterizing the arsenic hazard in private well water across the Nation. Together, we are developing models that span the Nation so that more complete data can be used to estimate burden of arsenic exposure for the private domestic well use population of the United States. The estimates can then be used to assess areas that are un-sampled as well as to link to human health outcome data (such as cancers and birth outcomes) so that ecological-level studies can be undertaken.
Specifically, this study’s objectives are to:
- Estimate the probability of having high arsenic in domestic wells across the Nation; and
- Estimate the population with high-arsenic well water
The findings of the study are highlighted here: https://www.usgs.gov/news/study-estimates-about-21-million-people-using-wells-high-arsenic.
The report for the study is here: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.est.7b02881.
- Science
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Arsenic and Drinking Water
Arsenic is a naturally occurring element, but long-term exposure can cause cancer in people. There has been a substantial amount of research done to address arsenic in groundwater and drinking-water supplies around the country. The USGS studies local and national sources of arsenic to help health officials better manage our water resources. - Publications