Arsenic is the most significant chemical contaminant in drinking water globally, but can be removed by some under sink water filters.
In this article, we look at why you should want to remove arsenic from your water, how under sink water filters remove arsenic, and how much arsenic they can actually remove. We will also list nine under sink water filters that can remove arsenic.
What Is Arsenic?
Arsenic is a chemical element occurring naturally in the earth’s mineral deposits. It can leach from soils and dissolve in groundwater that may eventually be processed into drinking water.
The current drinking water standard from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is 0.010 mg/L or parts per million (ppm) (10 µg/L).
Arsenic levels above this pose health risks and it suggests you get another drinking water source or install a home treatment device.
Arsenic is most commonly found in the ground. It can be introduced into the environment through wastewater from industries like mining and agriculture.
It could also be released from geothermal plants that produce water containing arsenic, which is released into drinking water sources.
Occurrence: Arsenic is found in drinking water wells in more than 25 states in the United States, with potentially 2.1 million people being exposed to drinking water high in arsenic.
Geographic distribution: Arsenic concentrations were detected more frequently and at higher levels in wells in the West than in the East.
Regions of greatest concern: The Southwest region, including states like Arizona and New Mexico, showed higher concentrations of arsenic in drinking-water wells, with about 16 percent of wells exceeding the maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 10 µg/L set by the USEPA.
Other affected aquifers: Besides the Southwest, other principal aquifers with concerns for arsenic include the Glacial aquifer system (northern U.S.), the crystalline rock aquifers of the Piedmont, Blue Ridge, and Valley and Ridge Aquifers (northern U.S.), and the Mississippi Embayment–Texas Coastal Uplands Aquifer System and Mississippi River Valley Alluvial Aquifer (southeastern U.S.).
Factors contributing to contamination: Factors that contribute to elevated concentrations of arsenic in some aquifers include long groundwater residence times, rock type, high pH, arid climate, and irrigation practices.
Health Effects Of Arsenic
Drinking water with high levels of arsenic will make the body react immediately with symptoms like:
- vomiting,
- diarrhea,
- abdominal pain,
- muscle cramping, and
- tingling sensations in the limbs.
Long-term exposure to drinking water containing arsenic at levels higher than 0.010 ppm (10 µg/L) is associated with an increased risk of serious health problems such as liver and lung cancers.
It is also associated with skin problems like:
- skin lesions and discoloration,
- diabetes,
- cardiovascular effects, and
- negative effects on cognitive development in children.
The health effects of arsenic may not show up immediately. They typically appear after many years, particularly if you have been in contact with low levels of arsenic over a long time.
Because of these serious health risks, it is safe to make sure your water is free from arsenic as much as possible.
How Under Sink Water Filters Remove Arsenic
With under sink water filters, water goes through 3 different stages of filtration to remove arsenic:
- Sediment filtration – The first stage involves passing it through a sediment filter cartridge to remove sediment, sand, dirt, and silt particles.
- This also prevents damage to control valves and extends the life span of water filters.
- Arsenic-reducing mineral tank – Water is further passed through an arsenic-reducing mineral tank.
- This stage usually contains specialized filtration media that can reduce up to 99% of total arsenic.
- Solid carbon filter – This removes additional contaminants and improves the taste of the water.
9 Undersink Water Filters Able To Remove Arsenic
Under-sink water filters are highly effective in removing more than 90% of total dissolved solids, including potentially harmful contaminants like arsenic.
We have compiled a list of nine reliable under-sink water filters that have proven capabilities to remove or reduce arsenic levels, ensuring the safety and purity of your family’s drinking water:
1. ClearlyFiltered Under Sink Water Filter System
The ClearlyFiltered 3-Stage Under the Sink Water Filter System is one great product that removes arsenic.
Its advanced under-sink filtration system can remove more than 232 contaminants, including heavy metals, pollutants, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and arsenic.
The ClearlyFiltered under sink water filter removes 94.3% of arsenic from water.
Its system includes three replaceable filters developed with their advanced Affinity Filtration Technology.
Each filter serves a unique purpose, working together to produce clean water.
2. Waterdrop Under Sink Water Filter System
The Under Sink Filtration System Integrated Dual Carbon Waterdrop TSC-W has been tested against NSF standards and is an effective remover of arsenic.
This under sink water filter also absorbs most of the chlorine in water and reduces other contaminants like lead, mercury, fluoride, and odor.
As an added advantage, this system is battery-driven and doesn’t require an electricity supply.
It also has an integrated waterway to prevent water leakage.
It is small and compact, takes up less space under your sink, and is easy to install.
3. Frizzlife Under Sink Water Filter System
The Frizzlife MP99 Under Sink Water Filter is a 2-in-1 cartridge system that removes arsenic and other contaminants, including mercury, lead, copper, fluoride, salts, sediments, and VOCs.
This filtration system also improves the taste and health benefits of your water by adding minerals like potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium in a process known as remineralization.
This filter has a high flow rate and is quick and easy to install. It’s also one of the cheaper options on our list – which is always helpful!
4. Crystal Quest Under Sink Water Filter System
The Crystal Quest Arsenic Removal + SMART Single Under Sink Water Filter System removes several contaminants from water, arsenic inclusive.
This system passes water through 6 stages of filtration. One of these stages contains a special resin designed to remove arsenic.
It also contains other filtration media to reduce contaminants like chlorine, heavy metals, pesticides, etc. It is easy to use and install on all standard sinks.
5. iSpring CU-A4 4-Stage Premium Under Counter System
This filtration system takes water through 4 stages of filtration.
It removes up to 99% of arsenic and other common water contaminants such as chlorine, lead, etc.
The iSpring under counter system removes arsenic efficiently without removing the healthy minerals in water.
This filtration system is lightweight and easy to install.
6. Hydroviv Under Sink Water Filter
Hydroviv water filters remove arsenic and other contaminants, including heavy metals, pesticides, chlorine, etc.
One thing that makes Hydroviv filters unique and appealing is the customization that this company offers.
Hydroviv can customize your water filter to remove chemicals and other contaminants specific to your area of residence – which just makes a lot of sense!
7. CuZn UC-K Multi-Stage Filtration System
When buying this under sink filtration system, you can choose between a filtration system with two cartridges or one with three.
This filtration system comes with a “Wide Spectrum Filtration Cartridge” which removes several contaminants commonly found in water.
In addition to this wide spectrum cartridge, you can choose a specialty cartridge to target specific contaminants in your water. For instance, their arsenic cartridge.
The arsenic cartridge is specially designed to remove over 99% of arsenic from the water that passes through it.
If you choose the filtration system with three cartridges, you can choose two specialty cartridges in addition to the wide spectrum cartridge.
This way, you can target two specific contaminants as well as a wide range of common contaminants.
8. Oceanic Triple Undersink Fluoride/Arsenic Reducing Filtration System
The Oceanic Triple Undersink Filtration System is specifically designed to significantly reduce the levels of arsenic and fluoride present in your water.
It works by passing the water through 3 stages of filtration.
One of these filtration stages is made of Activated Alumina (AA), a material made from aluminum oxide, specifically designed to remove arsenic and fluoride from your water.
The other filtration stages in this system remove other contaminants such as bacteria, pesticides, chlorine, etc.
9. Pure Earth Under Counter Arsenic Water Filters
Pure Earth under sink water filters are proudly made in the USA to remove arsenic from water.
They are a good choice if your only water concern is arsenic contamination.
The filtration medium used in this system is the Bayoxide® E33 adsorption media that removes up to 99% of total arsenic in your water.
If you have other water quality issues apart from arsenic, Pure Earth offers different models of this under sink filtration system.
These other models have two or three filter housings and can remove contaminants such as chlorine, iron, heavy metals, etc.
Does Anion Exchange Remove Arsenic?
Anionic exchange significantly lowers arsenic levels in water. This process not only removes arsenic but is also used to remove other substances like iron and manganese.
In the anion exchange process, water passes through a resin bed that is charged with molecules called ions. The ion content of the resin bed depends on the contaminants to be removed.
For the removal of arsenic, the typical anionic exchange system passes water through a resin bed charged with chloride ions from dissolved salt.
The arsenic molecules in the water exchange places with the chloride ions in the resin until the resin sites are full.
Afterward, the resin is back washed with water that contains a high concentration of dissolved salt.
This washes out the arsenic from the resin bed and replaces it with fresh chloride ions.
Arsenic molecules are carried in the backwash water and out of the system in wastewater.
The resin becomes recharged with the new chloride ions which are ready to be exchanged for more arsenic molecules.
Detection of Arsenic
Arsenic dissolved in water can’t be detected by taste or odor.
MyTapScore have a good quality Arsenic home water testing kit for $150.00. It’s an expensive test but it covers you for both arsenate (arsenic V) and arsenite (arsenic III).
- Order today and they’ll send out the kit and instructions on how to collect the samples.
- Shipping is included.
- Samples are tested in a certified laboratory and this test is recommended for people who have a confirmed total arsenic result above ~6 parts per billion (6 µg/L).
- You’ll get the results in about 8 days.
For more information and to order your Arsenic home water testing kit, click here.
Water filters can be used to make drinking water safe and free of arsenic, reducing your exposure and the consequent health risks.
Our #1 Pick for Under Sink Arsenic Removal
The ClearlyFiltered 3-Stage Under Sink filtration system is our top pick for under sink arsenic removal. This is our top choice because it removes well over 200 other contaminants in addition to arsenic.
The filtration system has a sleek, esthetically pleasing look and doesn’t occupy much space beneath your sink. It is compatible with any sink and easy to install.
ClearlyFiltered products are built in the USA and have proven to be reliable. It is consumer friendly, with a limited lifetime warranty.
Maintenance is easy to perform, and you need to change the filter just once a year.
This filter is a bit more expensive than the average under sink filtration system, but it provides value for your money.
