AMI offers an easy to use do it yourself arsenic water test from Purtest.

If you have private well water you should test for arsenic annually because arsenic is often found at levels over 100 times the U.S. EPA safe standard.

Arsenic can sometimes naturally occur in water and can be found in public and private water supplies. Mining operations, semiconductor manufacturing, use of wood preservatives are some of the ways water can be contaminated with this poison.

PurTest(r) ARSENIC water test provides an easy method of screening water for arsenic, in just minutes, conveniently right at home or in the field. There is nothing to mail and you get instant results. By identifying arsenic in your water, you can take steps to avoid the risks linking this substance to lung and skin cancer or death. PurTest(r) ARSENIC test allows you to easily check and be sure your water meets the safe standard for arsenic as established by the World Health Organization: 10 parts per billion (ppb).

What is arsenic?

Arsenic is an element that occurs naturally in rock and soil in many areas. It has been used commercially in products such as wood preservatives and pesticides.

How does arsenic get into well water?

Arsenic gets into well water through natural erosion. When underground water flows over rocks or soil that contain arsenic, the arsenic slowly dissolves into the water. Arsenic gets into well water primarily in this way.

Should I get my private water well sampled for arsenic?

Arsenic concentrations in groundwater are generally highest in the West and parts of the Midwest and Northeast. Because the amount of arsenic in well water can vary throughout the year, you should test more than once, at different times of the year.

What is the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standard for arsenic in drinking water of private wells?

EPA requires that public drinking water supplies have less than 10 parts per billion (ppb) of arsenic. EPA does not set drinking-water standards for private wells. However, persons who use water from wells that contain arsenic at levels greater than 10 ppb should consider ways of reducing exposure.

PurTest® Arsenic water test Instructions

READ INSTRUCTIONS, THEN PERFORM TEST

1. Remove cap and contents from PurTest® bottle, rinse bottle then fill with water to be tested up to the line (65 ml) on the bottle.

DO NOT TOUCH THE REACTION FILTER IN THE CAP AS IT CONTAINS MERCURY.

Set cap aside and keep it dry so as not to damage reaction filter.

2. Add contents of Arseni-cator 1 ™ (blue capped vial) to water sample.

3. Add contents of Arseni-cator 2™ to water sample. IMMEDIATELY, recap the bottle and secure cap tightly. BE CAREFUL NOT TO BREATHE ANY GASES BEING CREATED. 4. VERY GENTLY SWIRL (DO NOT SHAKE) the solution in the bottle 7 times to mix. The reaction filter must NOT get wet, therefore be careful not to cause any water to splash inside the bottle.

5. Set bottle aside at room temperature undisturbed for 30 minutes allowing the reaction filter to absorb any arsenic gases.

6. After 30 minutes, remove cap, pour solution after uncapping in toilet, wash hands thoroughly. Compare color inside cap to chart below within 2 hours of performing test to determine results. Colors will begin to fade after 2 hours. DO Not TOUCH REACTION FILTER. FOR BEST INTERPRETATION, COMPARE COLOR ON INSIDE OF CAP TO CHART BELOW IN BRIGHT LIGHT.

Verification of test results can be done by retesting or using a lab.

NOTE: If a brown or yellowish-brown color appears on the reaction filter inside the cap, arsenic levels above 50 ppb are detected.

Call Toll-Free 1-800-788-4825 for free advice on treating arsenic in water or for more information on testing and verification.

Arsenic comparison chart will indicate the level of Arsenic detected.