Published in the Asbury Park Press
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON -- High levels of arsenic are being allowed in drinking water, despite findings that the government-sanctioned standards pose an unacceptable cancer risk, a federal government advisory panel has concluded.
Water quality experts and environmental activists embraced the study by a National Academy of Sciences panel as a clarion call for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to strengthen its regulations on allowable arsenic levels in tap water. Arsenic is a known carcinogen.
The New Jersey Drinking Water Quality Institute, which makes recommendations on improving drinking water quality, is likely to consider the issue, said Barker Hamill, chief of the state Department of Environmental Protection's Bureau of Safe Drinking Water. The institute advises the DEP.
The DEP's limit for arsenic in drinking water -- 50 parts per billion -- is identical to the federal standard, which dates back to 1942 and has not been changed despite a 1974 directive from Congress to strengthen the standard.
The National Academy of Sciences report, made public Tuesday, concluded that the 50 ppb standard "does not sufficiently protect public health" and should be lowered "as promptly as possible."
In New Jersey, about half the population is served by ground water, Hamill said.
Ocean County relies mostly on ground water supplies, while Monmouth County depends heavily on surface water from reservoirs.
Hamill said he had "no clue" how many public residential water systems have arsenic levels above 10 ppb. No system has ever violated the 50 ppb limit, "as far as I know," he said.
Inorganic arsenic, the form most likely to cause cancer, occurs naturally in the earth and is released into ground water that travels through rocks and soil. The highest exposure to arsenic is in drinking water from wells, officials said.
Charles Fox, assistant EPA administrator for water issues, said he couldn't give any estimate on what level the EPA was considering for regulations that are expected to be proposed at the end of the year. But some environmental activists questioned whether the EPA's changes will be tough enough and suggested the agency may be minimizing the health impact.
Environmental writer Todd B. Bates contributed to this story.
© copyright 1999 The Associated Press
Source: Asbury Park Press
Published: March 25, 1999
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