What is the maximum contaminant level for arsenic in drinking water?

What is the maximum contaminant level for arsenic in drinking water?

• A. 0.005 mg/L
• B. 0.015 mg/L
• C. 0.010 mg/L
• D. 0.020 mg/L

Answer: (C)

The maximum contaminant level (MCL) for arsenic in drinking water is set at 0.010 mg/L. This standard is established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to protect public health. Arsenic is a known carcinogen and can cause a variety of serious health issues, including skin lesions, developmental effects, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. The regulation of arsenic levels in drinking water is crucial to ensuring the safety and quality of water supplies. The MCL is specifically determined based on both health risk assessments and cost considerations, leading to a level that balances safety and feasibility for water systems to achieve and maintain. By setting this limit at 0.010 mg/L, the EPA aims to minimize health risks associated with long-term exposure to arsenic in drinking water. Other levels listed, while they may seem plausible, do not reflect the current regulatory standard. Thus, they are not applicable in this context for safe drinking water standards.

The maximum contaminant level (MCL) for arsenic in drinking water is set at 0.010 mg/L. This standard is established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to protect public health. Arsenic is a known carcinogen and can cause a variety of serious health issues, including skin lesions, developmental effects, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. The regulation of arsenic levels in drinking water is crucial to ensuring the safety and quality of water supplies.

The MCL is specifically determined based on both health risk assessments and cost considerations, leading to a level that balances safety and feasibility for water systems to achieve and maintain. By setting this limit at 0.010 mg/L, the EPA aims to minimize health risks associated with long-term exposure to arsenic in drinking water.

Other levels listed, while they may seem plausible, do not reflect the current regulatory standard. Thus, they are not applicable in this context for safe drinking water standards.