Welcome to our July Newsletter
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Happy 4th of July!!
New England is filled with many amazing sights to see, especially during the summer. Getting outside to explore all that is around us is important to keep us active. We may not be able to do everything we use to do but enjoying nature has not changed.
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In this Edition
Mercury in Drinking Water
Arsenic in Drinking Water
Cyanobacteria
Industry News
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We care what you think! Please take our survey and lets us know how we are doing.
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Mercury in Drinking Water
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Mercury is a toxic heavy metal which is found in small amounts naturally in soil and rocks. Larger amounts are found through manufacturing and industrial production processes that release mercury gas into the air only to come back down during weather events such as rain and snow. Once it reaches the water, it is converted into the highly toxic form of mercury, methylmercury. Mercury does not breakdown in the environment, it accumulates so animals and fish that consume the mercury become highly toxic for human consumption causing neurological and reproductive disorders.
The Safe Drinking Water Act set a Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) of 2 parts per billion because it is believed that at this level mercury does not cause health effects. Also, given the technology of today, this is the lowest level that public water systems can reasonably remove this contaminant should it be found in drinking water supply.
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Arsenic in Drinking Water
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Arsenic can be found as a pure elemental crystal, but is usually naturally found mixed with other minerals.
Arsenic, a naturally occurring element, can combine with either inorganic or organic substances to form many different compounds
.
Arsenic is used in pesticides and wood preservation, and can be found in rocks and soil. Along with where it occurs naturally, it can also be given off by the use of coal, mining, and copper smelting. For most people however the main ways they are exposed to arsenic is through their food and water. The first type, inorganic arsenic is more harmful, but is rarer, and is usually found in contaminated drinking water, as well as rice and cereal. Inorganic arsenic is defined when metals and elements besides carbon combine with arsenic. Organic arsenic is made from arsenic combining with carbon, and is usually found in fish and shellfish. While it is more common than the inorganic variety, it is less harmful.
Arsenic has a variety of health effects, which can either become evident immediately or after years. If your drinking water is contaminated with low levels arsenic, over time some of the effects that may become apparent are liver, lung, bladder and other types of cancers, and diabetes. Skin problems (lesions, discoloration, and the development of corns), cardiovascular and respiratory disease, and reduced int
elligence in children can all be attributed to arsenic in drinking water.
If you have a private well, it is important to test the arsenic levels, to ensure you do not have long term exposure which can lead to health effects. The EPA federal drinking water standard is 10 micrograms per liter
(
ug/L),
however a concentration lower than that can still be harmful to your health. Maine and New Hampshire both currently follow the 10
ug/L
limit but New Hampshire plans to lower their limit to 5
ug/L
in July 2021. When the well is first drilled, the well contractor should test for arsenic, but that first test may not be indicative of long term arsenic concentration. If the result of the test is between 5 and 20 micrograms/liter, it may be a good idea to retest your water, after several months once the well has had time to settle. To remove the arsenic, water treatment methods such as reverse osmosis, ultra-filtration, distillation, or ion exchange can be considered.
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Cyanobacteria are microscopic organisms that occur naturally in bodies of water and have been around so long they found amongst some of the oldest fossils on earth. Cyanobacteria may appear as blue/green paint or scum floating on the surface of the water. Because of their color and appearance, they were once believed to be blue-green algae, but they are actually a photosynthetic bacteria. This means they contain light-harvesting pigments and absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, similar to a plant. Cyanobacteria can occur when the nutrient levels in a lake, pond or river are high.
Cyanobacteria is concerning because it can be harmful to humans, pets and livestock. The toxic blooms are called Harmful Algae Blooms (HABs) or Harmful Cyano Blooms (HCBs). If a human or animals comes in contact with these blooms, it can cause irritation to the skin or mucous membranes, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. It can also cause short-term nervous system issues such as tingling, burning or numbness. If exposure is prolonged, the bacteria can cause liver and kidney issues. If you believe you have come in contact with cyanobacteria it is recommended to seek medical treatment.
There are 3,000 different known species of cyanobacteria, making them once of the largest groups of bacteria known, and about 50 of them produce toxins that can cause illness. They are unpredictable and can occur in any type of water body. Blooms can look like anything from flecks on the surface of the water, scum, foam or a mat that settles to the bottom. These blooms can grow so thick that they block sunlight and kill other plants and aquatic animals.
If you are suspicious of cyanobacteria in a lake, river or pond you are visiting this summer, it is recommended to not come in contact with it or allow your pets to swim in or drink the water. If you believe you have come in contact with cyanobacteria, you should wash your skin with fresh, clean water and contact your healthcare provider.
NHDES asks that you call them at: (603)848-8094 or email HAB@des.nh.gov so they can investigate and treat the bloom.
Maine Department of Environmental Protection ask that you contact DEP Lakes Staff at 207-287-7688 to report blooms in Maine.
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NEWS THROUGHOUT OUR INDUSTRY
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