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This year, the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) again invites YOU to participate in the Abstract selection process for the Annual Educational Conference (AEC) & Exhibition, being held in partnership with the International Federation of Environmental Health. The "Be a Voice" initiative gives you the opportunity to tell us what you'd like to experience at the AEC. Tell us topics you'd like to hear about and speakers you'd like to see. View submitted abstracts and provide feedback on them. Help NEHA develop a training and education experience that continues to advance the proficiency of the environmental health profession AND helps create bottom line improvements for your organization!

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Arsenic in Iowa’s Groundwater – The Unknown Threat: A pilot study in Cerro Gordo County (50m Lecture)


Arsenic in Groundwater is a known problem in Iowa and health risks associated with consuming arsenic laden drinking water are numerous. A three year study ending in 2008 found that in 47% of the wells tested throughout Iowa, arsenic was present. The next step was to find out why the arsenic is present in the groundwater. This project was designed to reveal how arsenic can be avoided
when new wells are drilled and how to assess if operating wells are at risk for arsenic levels above the Safe Drinking Water Act Maximum Contaminate Level of 10 parts per billion for public water supplies. This presentation will examine the initial results of the ongoing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funded study in Cerro Gordo County, IA that has focused on what indicators are found in arsenic contaminated private wells. Testing is being done on approximately 50 wells for 29 parameters including pH, temperature and flow rate as well as total arsenic, arsenic speciation, alkalinity, hardness. Wells and well depths have been mapped in order to allow comparison between wells in different aquifers. State and local government officials, public health professionals and well contractors will be interested in the findings of this study.
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7 comments:

  1. Eric BradleyOctober 22, 2013 at 12:02 PM

    This is an interesting presentation for multiple reasons: Why is the arsenic in groundwater and how can it be avoided when drilling a new well? This issue isn't just about drinking water, but also about the food supply since arsenic is easily absorbed by plants. If groundwater that contains arsenic is used to water crops, a high concentration of arsenic can be introduced into our food supply which can lead to several types of cancer, as well as blindness and partial paralysis.

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  2. AnonymousOctober 23, 2013 at 6:23 AM

    Arsenic in groundwater is found throughout the US and other parts of the world. With more than one quarter of our population drinking water from unregulated drinking water supplies, it is important to understand the health implications, potential sources of arsenic, and how to minimize the risk. Don't let this topic slip by.

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  3. AnonymousNovember 1, 2013 at 1:28 PM

    This is an important topic and deserves attention.

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  4. UnknownDecember 5, 2013 at 9:54 AM

    If arsenic can be avoided when new wells are drilled then the word needs to get out.

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  5. AnonymousDecember 5, 2013 at 1:03 PM

    This is a topic that should call the attention of everybody. We all drink water, but only few know how safe this is. I hope NEHA/AEC leaves this session. I would like to attend it!

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  6. AnonymousDecember 10, 2013 at 8:08 AM

    This presentation covers an extremely timely and important topic in drinking water exposure and potential adverse health outcomes in the high risk population of private well users. The NEHA audience will be very interested in this work; I encourage the reviewers to approve this abstract for presentation at the conference !

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  7. Chad FieldsDecember 10, 2013 at 3:59 PM

    Finding ways to accurately predict arsenic in groundwater using known geology, chemistry, etc., to help with proper well construction could save a lot of money and time in the long run. Hopefully with the same rules of thumb we can apply outside of Cerro Gordo County, Iowa. I highly recommend that this presentation get approved for the conference.

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