Arsenic in wells? An update.

I'm not sure where to post this. I read a report in today's local paper regarding arsenic in water "posing a global threat", as reported by the AP.

To summarize, it seems the country worst affected is Bangladesh, "where hundreds of thousands of people are likely to die of cancers of the lung, bladder, and skin caused by arsenic, the research said".

"Arsenic, which is odorless and tasteless, enters water supplies from natural deposits in the earth or from agricultural and industrial practices."

WHO sets a safe arsenic limit of 10 ppb, but 137 million people drink water with higher levels. 57 million drink water with more than 50ppb,

"Arsenic poses longterm risks, exceeding every other potential contaminant, according to research presented by Allan Smith of the University of California at Berkley.

The reason I'm interested in this item is because I recently read on curezone someone's theory that arsenic containing wells may have been unnecessarily closed years ago because some believe that naturally occuring arsenic in drinking water has a protective effect in preventing cancer development and many have died unnecessarily because they weren't allowed to drink the 'laced water'.

I really don't know enough either way and was hoping someone could help clarify whether or not naturally occuring arsenic in water is good for preventing cancer or whether it's really true that Bangladesh is the 'cancer capital of the world'.

CM
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