Chappells Heather, Parker Louise, Fernandez Conrad V, Conrad Cathy, Drage John, O'Toole Gary, Campbell Norma, Dummer Trevor J B
Department of Pediatrics, Dalhousie University, Population Cancer Research Program, 1494 Carlton Street, PO Box 15000, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada E-mail:
Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine, Dalhousie University, Population Cancer Research Program, 1494 Carlton Street, PO Box 15000, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada.
J Water Health. 2014 Sep;12(3):372-92. doi: 10.2166/wh.2014.054.
Arsenic is a known carcinogen found globally in groundwater supplies due to natural geological occurrence. Levels exceeding the internationally recognized safe drinking water standard of 10 μg/L have been found in private drinking water supplies in many parts of Canada and the United States. Emerging epidemiological evidence confirms groundwater arsenic to be a significant health concern, even at the low to moderate levels typically found in this region. These findings, coupled with survey data reporting limited public adherence to testing and treatment guidelines, have prompted calls for improved protective measures for private well users. The purpose of this review is to assess current jurisdictional provisions for private well water protection in areas where arsenic is known to naturally occur in groundwater at elevated levels. Significant limitations in risk management approaches are identified, including inconsistent and uncoordinated risk communication approaches, lack of support mechanisms for routine water testing and limited government resources to check that testing and treatment guidelines are followed. Key action areas are discussed that can help to build regulatory, community and individual capacity for improved protection of private well water supplies and enhancement of public health.
砷是一种已知的致癌物，由于自然地质现象，在全球各地的地下水源中都有发现。在加拿大和美国的许多地区，私人饮用水供应中发现的砷含量超过了国际公认的10微克/升的安全饮用水标准。新出现的流行病学证据证实，即使在该地区通常发现的低至中等水平，地下水中的砷也是一个重大的健康问题。这些发现，再加上调查数据显示公众对检测和治疗指南的遵守情况有限，促使人们呼吁为私人水井用户采取更好的保护措施。本综述的目的是评估在已知地下水中天然存在高浓度砷的地区，目前针对私人井水保护的管辖规定。确定了风险管理方法中的重大局限性，包括风险沟通方法不一致和不协调、缺乏常规水质检测的支持机制以及政府用于检查是否遵循检测和治疗指南的资源有限。讨论了关键行动领域，这些领域有助于建立监管、社区和个人能力，以更好地保护私人井水供应并增进公众健康。
