NAS Reports Cancer Risk 

from Arsenic in Drinking Water

September 17, 2001


Even extremely low concentrations of arsenic in drinking water appear to be associated with a higher incidence of cancer, according to a new report by the National Academy of Sciences.  A committee of the academy's National Research Council released its report on Sept. 11, cautioning that men and women who daily consume water  containing three parts per billion of arsenic have about a one in 1,000 increased risk of developing bladder or lung cancer during their lifetimes. At 10 parts per billion, the risk is greater than three in 1,000.

Source: Environmental News Network

http://enn.com/news/enn-stories/2001/09/09142001/s_44958.asp

25 Apr 2001

EPA Establishes Process to Evaluate Arsenic in Drinking Water Standard:

Last week EPA established a process for setting a new standard for arsenic in drinking water.  The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) will perform an expedited review of  EPA's risk analysis for arsenic, focusing on levels ranging from three to 20 parts per billion.  NAS will also review new studies regarding the health risks of arsenic ingestion.  Additionally, EPA will convene a subgroup of the National Drinking Water Advisory Council to assess the economic issues associated with the standard.  In order to allow time for these reviews, EPA has proposed to extend the effective date for a new

arsenic standard an additional 9 months, from the current May 22 effective date until February 22, 2002.  The compliance date for the new standard will remain until 2006.  For more information on the proposal, go to  www.epa.gov/safewater/arsenic.html on the Internet.