On June 20, the Barley House will host three specialists for a forum on the dangers of arsenic and its alarming presence in New Hampshire's private wells.
“Arsenic in well water is a major public health issue in New Hampshire,” said panelist Paul Susca of the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services said.
Fellow panelist Jon Ayotte of the U.S. Geological Survey agreed, “Arsenic in drinking water is probably the single biggest threat to human health in private wells across the state.”
“The USGS estimates that 20 percent of private wells (in Southeastern New Hampshire) have arsenic levels that don't fall in line with the drinking water standards for well water,” Susca said.
And those levels of arsenic are harmful, Ayotte explained.
Arsenic, a long designated carcinogen, is toxic to humans in many forms, especially to children. It is believed water is the primary exposure point for arsenic poisoning and it is estimated that 40 percent of New Hampshire residents get their water from private wells, making the issue is especially prevalent in New Hampshire.
Ayotte explained that while the forum will discuss the dangers of arsenic and exposure issues, they will also discuss how to prevent arsenic contamination, test for contamination and how to clean up an arsenic contamination.
The panel will also discuss the disturbing new trend of finding toxic levels of arsenic in rice. The Dartmouth Toxic Metals Superfund Research Program, which will be represented at the forum with panelist Brian Jackson, has found in two recent studies that Americans are potentially being exposed to toxic levels of arsenic contamination through rice and rice products.
David Brooks of the Nashua Telegraph will moderate the forum, which will be open for public questions.
The forum takes place in the downstairs of the Barley House, located at 132 N. Main St. on June 20 and will take place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
For more information, visit http://sciencecafenh.org.
