LUCENA CITY, Quezon, Philippines — The groundwater in a city and eight towns in Batangas province have been found positive for arsenic contamination. The level of arsenic in these areas was above the normal level of 10 parts per billion, the report added. The presence of arsenic in the groundwater was first detected after the eruption of Taal Volcano on Jan. 12, 2020, according to the PIO. According to health experts, arsenic is naturally occurring and can contaminate water and soil. Health authorities in the province have been conducting continuous monitoring of arsenic levels in the groundwater in these localities and the provincial government has allotted P3.5 million for regular water testing.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer June 06, 2022 03:07 UTC