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Jon Collins
St. Paul, Minn.

Unsafe arsenic levels in 10 percent of new Minn. private wells

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The state Department of Health has released a map showing that 10 percent of new private wells in Minnesota contain more arsenic than is safe.

One out of every five state residents relies on private wells for drinking water. Arsenic exposure can cause lung, skin and other cancers, as well as a number of other serious health conditions.

The agency released new interactive map showing arsenic levels in wells across the state. The data in the map comes from tests conducted between 2008 and 2013.

Many counties in the west or south-central parts of the state show high levels of arsenic in wells. Norman County has the highest median arsenic levels in the state, with 44 percent of wells testing at more than 10 micrograms per liter. Clay, Mahnomen and McLeod counties all show very high levels as well.

The Department of Health is urging residents to get wells tested and take steps to reduce arsenic levels.