Assessing the Impact of Drought on Arsenic Exposure from Private Domestic Wells in the Conterminous United States

This study assesses the potential impact of drought on arsenic exposure from private domestic wells by using a previously developed statistical model that predicts probability elevated concentrations (>10 μg per liter) in water located conterminous United States (CONUS). The application to simulate conditions used systematically reduced precipitation and recharge values. resulted higher probabilities throughout most CONUS. While increase was generally less than 10% at any one location, when considered over entire CONUS, has considerable public health implications. population exposed estimated approximately 2.7 million 4.1 people during drought. also run total annual groundwater values year 2012 existed large extent simulation provided method for comparing duration changes predicted high wells. These results suggest greater 10 liter increases with increasing findings indicate potentially adverse hazard