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Arsenic Fact Sheet
Background
Arsenic (abbreviated As) can occur naturally in well water. There are two forms of arsenic: pentavalent arsenic
(also called As(V), As(+5), and arsenate), and trivalent arsenic (also called As(III), AS(+3), and arsenite). Although
both forms are potentially harmful to human health, trivalent arsenic is considered more harmful than
pentavalent arsenic. In well water, arsenic may be pentavalent, trivalent, or a combination of both. Additional
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Testing Your Water
Arsenic in water has no color, taste or odor. It must be measured by a lab test. Public water utilities must have
their water tested for arsenic. You can get the results from your water utility. If you have your own well, you
can have the water tested. The local health department or the state environmental health agency can provide
a list of certified labs. The cost is typically $15 to $30.
Pentavalent vs. Trivalent Arsenic Reduction
This system is very effective at reducing pentavalent arsenic from drinking water. This model was tested in a
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for safe drinking water. RO systems are not as effective at removing trivalent arsenic from water. This model
will not convert trivalent arsenic to pentavalent arsenic. If you have free chlorine residual in your water supply,
any trivalent arsenic will be converted to pentavalent arsenic and reduced by this Reverse Osmosis system.
Other water treatment chemicals, such as ozone and potassium permanganate will also change trivalent
arsenic to pentavalent arsenic. A combined chlorine residual (also called chloramine) may not convert all of
the trivalent arsenic to pentavalent arsenic. Water systems using an in-line chlorinator should provide a one-
minute chlorine contact time before the Reverse Osmosis system. If you get your water from a public water
utility, contact the utility to find out if free chlorine or combined chlorine is used in the water system.
Maintenance
It is strongly recommended that you follow the maintenance instructions in your owner’s manual and have
your water tested periodically to make sure the system is performing properly. See replacement element
information above for recommendations on maintaining your Reverse Osmosis drinking water treatment
system.
For IOWA Only
All sales in Iowa require the following signature before consummation of sale. These signatures must be
retained by the seller/renter for two years minimum.
Buyer/Renter ____________________________________Date _______________________________________
Seller ___________________________________________Date _______________________________________
Seller’s Address _______________________________________________________________________________
Seller’s Phone number _________________________________________________________________________
Product: General Electric Reverse Osmosis Filtration Systems: PNRQ20FBL, PNRQ20FWW, PNRQ20FBB,
PNRQ20FCC, PNRQ21LBN, PNRQ21LRB, PNRQ20RBL, PNRQ21RBN, and PNRQ21RRB.
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Specification guidelines.