Official: Some arsenic from Mont. soil, not smelter

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By The Associated Press

Story Published: Nov 11, 2009 at 5:31 PM MDT

Story Updated: Nov 11, 2009 at 5:31 PM MDT

EAST HELENA - Officials say arsenic recently found in some East Helena-area residential wells likely leached out of the region's soil and doesn't seem to be related to pollution from the nearby Asarco lead smelter.

Hydrometrics Senior Hydrologist Bob Anderson says soil in the area has historically contained arsenic, and he believes that's the probable source in some wells.

Asarco Environmental Manager Jon Nickel says the residential wells showed an average of 9.6 parts per billion of arsenic, just under federal drinking water standards of 10 parts per billion. The arsenic plume found in the groundwater directly under the lead smelter had nearly 23,000 times the federal drinking water standard.

Federal officials say that means an adult would die after consuming less than two 8-ounce glasses of that water.

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