BALTIMORE, March 15, 2007 (Water Tech) — New research shows that arsenic-tainted drinking water increases the risk of fetal loss among pregnant women and contributes to infant death during the first year, according to a study published in the Advanced Access online version of the American Journal of Epidemiology.

The authors of the study gathered data from more than 29,000 pregnancies; results for the first time demonstrate a significant correspondence between arsenic and ill effects on fetus and infant health, according to the study, which has been accepted for publication in American Journal of Epidemiology but has not yet been paginated for publication.

Multi-Pure Commentary:

Multi-Pure’s MP880 Series has been certified by NSF International, under Standard 53, to reduce Arsenic V.

SALEM, WV, March 15, 2007 (Water Tech) — This city's water treatment plant dispensed water with excessive trihalomethanes (THM) to residents and may have done so for five years, a March 14 WBOY-TV story reported.

Letters sent to residents said, "Some people … may experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central nervous system, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer," according to the story.

The letter also said the plant is outdated and cannot meet its requirements without upgrades, the story reported.

The water tested at 112.9 micrograms per liter (parts per billion) of THM and the average should be about 80 micrograms per liter, the story said.

SWEET HOME, OREGON, March 19, 2007 (Water Tech) — Nearly a quarter of private wells recently tested here indicated arsenic levels that exceed federal standards, according to a recent article in The New Era.

Eighty-four local wells were tested for arsenic and nitrates through the Oregon Well Water Program, administered through Oregon State University's extension services, according to the article, and of those, 20 exceeded the 10 parts per billion (ppb) US Environmental Protection Agency standard currently in use for arsenic in public water systems.

Arsenic was detected in 31 wells, and Gail Glick Andrews, an Oregon State University professor who runs the program, was quoted in the article as saying that five samples exceeded the 50 ppb standard that formerly was used.

Multi-Pure Commentary:

Multi-Pure’s MP880 Series has been certified by NSF International, under Standard 53, to reduce Arsenic V.

ATLANTA, March 20, 2007 (Water Tech) — The US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the American Pharmacists Association announced March 17 that they have signed an agreement outlining how the two groups will work cooperatively to build consumer awareness of the hazards posed by the improper disposal of unused and expired medications into the nation's waterways.

The campaign, called "SMARxT DISPOSAL," will focus on educating pharmacists on how to ramp up their take-back program for unused pharmaceutical drugs and to keep consumers informed of proper methods of disposal when their local pharmacy does not offer a take-back program, according to Joshua Winchell, a spokesman for the USFWS.

The campaign advises consumers not to flush unused medications unless directed to do so due to their abuse potential, according to Winchell; drugs to be disposed of should first be ground up and then added to a nonpalatable substance such as cat litter or sawdust, then placed in a sealed container before being placed in the trash.

Studies by the US Geological Survey have shown that unused medications that are flushed into septic systems survive through wastewater treatment systems and end up in public waterways that may be used as drinking water sources; they impact fish and wildlife dependent on those water sources.

According to Winchell, the USFWS is aware of more cases of drug-transgendered fish; this not only disrupts the life cycle of species but also is a concern if fish are consumed by humans.

SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT, March 23, 2007 (Water Tech) — Members of People Concerned about Chloramine (PCAC), a group of residents served by the Champlain Water District (CWD), say they were planning to tell the state Legislature this week that the water-supply disinfectant chloramine has ill effects on their health, according to a March 22 article in the Vermont Guardian.

PCAC was formed by Ellen Powell, a South Burlington resident who says she experienced health problems when the Champlain Water District, which serves nine towns including South Burlington, added chloramine as a disinfectant, according to the article.

PCAC maintains that chloramine should not be used in public water systems until research proves it is safe for human health. Chloramine has been used increasingly by public water systems as a way to reduce production of disinfectant by-products (DBP) that can occur in standard chlorination.

ALBANY, NY, March 23, 2007 (Water Tech) — Water samples taken from six elementary schools here tested positive for lead above the limit set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a March 23 Times Union story said.

Water tests were taken in February from 400 drinking fountains in the school, 32 of which tested over the EPA's limit of 15 parts per billion (ppb), according to the story.

The fountains have been shut off and will be replaced, the story said.

The lead may be leaching from older pipes or coolers that aren't used on a regular basis, the article said.

Schools Superintendent Eva Joseph said in the story, "Maintenance staff are now replacing faucet fixtures, or in some cases, faucet screens, which may have caused the elevated lead levels."

The water comes from the same city source that supplies water to area households, according to the article.

WASHINGTON, March 27, 2007 (Water Tech) — The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued additional warnings on March 24 regarding Jermuk brand bottled mineral water from Armenia due to its risk of exposure to arsenic.

As WaterTech Online™ reported this month, several brands of Jermuk water were shown to have arsenic levels of 500 to 600 micrograms per liter, which exceeds the FDA's standard of 10 micrograms per liter for bottled water.

The newest recall, initiated by the product's importers and distributors, has been expanded to include "Jermuk Natural Mineral Water Fortified with Gas from the Spring," which also is labeled as "Produced by Sam-Har Co. Republic of Armenia" and "Exclusive Distributor in USA: Arnaz & Nelli Inc., CA 91605."

According to the FDA, arsenic is a well-known human poison and exposure to the arsenic-laced bottled water over a period of days to weeks likely would result in a person experiencing nausea, abdominal pain and possibly vomiting, all of which are indicators of arsenic toxicity.

Multi-Pure Commentary:

Multi-Pure’s MP880 Series has been certified by NSF International, under Standard 53, to reduce Arsenic V.

Arsenic found in TX drinking water

WOLFFORTH, TX, March 28, 2007 (Water Tech) — Health officials here recently warned residents that their drinking water — which already is high in fluoride — contains high levels of arsenic, a well-known human poison, according to a March 27 KLBK 13 report.

The arsenic levels in this West Texas city's water are higher than US Environmental Protection Agency and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality standards, according to the report.

According to the city's director of public works, the high levels of fluoride and arsenic in the groundwater are naturally occurring.

Multi-Pure Commentary: