Estimating the population exposed to arsenic from groundwater-sourced private drinking water supplies in Cornwall, UK

Introduction: Many properties in the UK are served by private water supplies (PWS) where mains connection is not possible. Chronic exposure to chemicals in PWS may have an adverse effect on health causing cancers and skin lesions, although no evidence observed in the UK. The SW of England is an area with elevated arsenic concentrations in groundwaters supplying a number of domestic property PWS. A Prescribed Concentration Value (PCV) of 10 µg/L is set by Regulations enforced by local authorities. However, there remains uncertainty as to the precise extent of the local population exposed to arsenic. We undertook to calculate exposure to arsenic in PWS in Cornwall to help estimate the health burden. Methods: We invited known PWS users on a register to take part in a water sampling programme from 2011-13. We asked for information on the number of residents drinking PWS water and if properties shared the supply. The number of PWS in Cornwall and mean household population was estimated using GIS. We calculated...