Arsenic concentrations in the surface, well, and drinking waters of the Hisarcik, Turkey, area

Arsenic is one of the most important water pollutants because of its carcinogenicity. The association between arsenical poisoning and the development of internal malignancies and skin cancer is well known. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) sets maximum contaminant level goals at zero for carcinogens. In this study are presented groundwater arsenic concentrations in the area of naturally rich boron sources of Turkey. Water samples were collected from the Hisarcik, Turkey, area, which has a large boron mine. An inductively coupled plasma/mass spectrometry method was used to analyze arsenic concentrations in water samples. The arsenic levels in water ranged from no detectable amounts to 3.00 mg As/L (mean: 0.46 +/- 0.07SD). This mean As level exceeds by a factor of 10 the USEPA's current Maximum Contaminant Level of 0.05 mgAs/L. Some possible health problems associated with consumption of arsenic-contaminated water are discussed and public health interventions proposed.