Manganese in Water No Issue For Most in P.G.
By 250 News
Wednesday, September 22, 2010 04:03 AM
Prince George, B.C.- A study which indicates higher levels of manganese in water is linked to lower IQ in children should not be cause for concern for most residents of Prince George.
Utilities Manager Marco Fornari says the water supply testing in Prince George shows levels of manganese well below the limit set by Health Canada “The core water supply that feeds the west side of the bowl area of Prince George, going back in 2005, was .005 milligrams per litre. The aesthetic objective is .05 milligrams per litre, so its low. But it has varied anywhere from .005 to .0031 milligrams per litre.”
Fornari says over the years, the Hart water supply exceeded the .05 limit twice, but that has not happened since the new Fish Trap Island water source came on stream. It is tested every 6 months, and since 2007 ( when the new system came on line) 5 of 6 samples indicated manganese was below detectable limits. “One sample showed a levl of .0011, they actually had to lower the detection limit and go with a much lower detection limit to get any result, so they are, very low levels.”
But there are plenty of people in Prince George who are not on the City water system. The Health Canada mandated acceptable level for manganese in drinking water is 0.05. That is also the “aesthetic level” meaning anything higher than that will cause that familiar reddish brown staining.
Putting a filter that uses carbon and resins on your well water and household products like Brita pitchers will reduce the levels of manganese.
Researchers at the Universite de Montreal and Ecole Polytechnique examined 362 children age 6 to 13 and measured their intelligence quotient relative to the levels of manganese in their tap water. Study leader, Maryse Bouchard, says they were surprised by the “strength of the differences between children who were exposed to high levels and those who weren't.” The same research team is now applying for funding to follow those same students and see what happens when their water supply is changed to manganese free drinking water.
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Posted by: Outwest on September 22 2010 9:06 AM
Prince George, B.C.- There are some who say you can't fix something if you don't know what's wrong, well, the City of Prince George certainly knows what is "wrong" when it comes to the risk behaviours of youth in this city.
The Communities That Care community assessment report indicates Prince George youth are more likely to try alcohol, or cigarettes than their counterparts in the lower mainland, they also believe there is a community acceptance to anti-social behaviour.
This week we have read right here in Opinion 250 the above topics about our youth, yet they say do not be concerned about yet another toxin in the water.
Okayyyyyyyy!