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Arsenic in distribution #866287

Asked April 29, 2024, 12:16 PM EDT

My daughter is attempting to buy a manufactured home in shady cove, Oregon. The well tested above EPA standards, I believe it was at 155 pbb. They cleaned the carpets with the well water, and used the well water to garden with. My questions are, is the dirt safe for her two young girls. 7 and 15 year olds. I can install a whole house arsenic filter, but are the distribution pipes in the house worth saving or should the house piping and water heater be replaced? Thank you very much! Mike

Jackson County Oregon

Expert Response

Mike - are you referring to arsenic at the high level - or worried about lead in the pipes? The arsenic is not going to stay in the pipes and would be flushed through. 
https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pub/em-9401-arsenic-your-drinking-water is a great resource about arsenic and includes considerations for use in irrigation, etc.

Chrissy
Chrissy Lucas-Woodruff Replied May 06, 2024, 10:28 AM EDT
I think I had asked about arsenic in the pipes desorption from an iron rich bio film buildup inside the pipes, the soil having been watered thru gardening over the years and the risk of inhalation of the dust. The carpet was cleaned with that water a few times over the years. The water heater has an iron tank, again, desorption into the system and the risk of inhaling the steam from a shower. My grandchildren potentially may live here, and these are answers I would love to get sooner than later!  Thank you, Mike
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On May 6, 2024, at 7:28 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:


The Question Asker Replied May 06, 2024, 10:38 AM EDT
Also, I was told by your site to ask an expert, and all you did was refer me to a link I already read. If you aren’t an “expert”, can you direct me to someone who can answer my questions so I can protect my grandchildren? Thank you, Mike
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On May 6, 2024, at 7:28 AM, Ask Extensiono <<personal data hidden>> wrote:


The Question Asker Replied May 06, 2024, 10:44 AM EDT

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