title: Arsenic in private drinking water wells: an assessment of jurisdictional regulations and guidelines for risk remediation in North America.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Dalhousie University, Population Cancer Research Program, 1494 Carlton Street, PO Box 15000, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada E-mail: h.chappells@dal.ca.
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chappells
authors.affiliation: Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine, Dalhousie University, Population Cancer Research Program, 1494 Carlton Street, PO Box 15000, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada.
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Parker
authors.affiliation: Departments of Pediatrics and Bioethics, Dalhousie University and IWK Health Centre, 5850 University Avenue, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3K 6R8, Canada.
authors.forename: Conrad V
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Fernandez
authors.affiliation: Department of Geography, Saint Mary's University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 3C3, Canada.
authors.forename: Cathy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Conrad
authors.affiliation: Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources, Geological Services Division, 1701 Hollis Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3J 2T9, Canada.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Drage
authors.affiliation: Nova Scotia Health and Wellness, Environmental Health, PO Box 488, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3J 2R8, Canada.
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: O'Toole
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Dalhousie University, Population Cancer Research Program, 1494 Carlton Street, PO Box 15000, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada E-mail: h.chappells@dal.ca.
authors.forename: Norma
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Dalhousie University, Population Cancer Research Program, 1494 Carlton Street, PO Box 15000, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada E-mail: h.chappells@dal.ca.
authors.forename: Trevor J B
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Dummer
mesh_terms: D001151:Arsenic / Q000032:analysis*; D002170:Canada; D060587:Groundwater / Q000032:analysis*; D011634:Public Health / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014481:United States; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D014881:Water Supply / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D060986:Water Wells / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D001151:Arsenic