Preliminary analysis of the diffusion of arsenic in Piedmont

The objective of this study was to obtain an overview of the presence of arsenic in the drinkable water and in groundwater in Piedmont. The introduction of directive 98/83/EC (Drinking Water Directive, DWD) has had a considerable impact on the distribution of drinkable water in Italy. Significantly reduced threshold values have been introduced, compared to the previous water quality standards. For example, the threshold value for arsenic, for which the Maximum Admissible Concentration (MAC) had been established as 50 µgL-1, according to directive 80/778/EC, was reduced to 10 µgL-1 in the subsequent directive, that is, directive 98/83/EC. After the introduction of directive 98/83/EC, Italy is the country that has issued the most dispensations, above all in relation to the parameters of natural and geological origin: the original situation, at the time of the first dispensation, concerned 10 parameters and involved 13 regions, with a total of 56 dispensation proceedings. The decision of the European Commission, pertaining to the dispensation requested by Italy on the basis of directive 98/83/EC concerning the quality of drinkable water, only dates back to 28 October 2010. The European Commission granted dispensations until 31/12/2011, but only for concentrations of arsenic close to 20 µgL-1, since values of 30, 40 and 50 µgL-1 could determine higher health risks, and in particular some forms of cancer.