Drinking water contaminated with arsenic in Hungary

475 settlements and more than 1,5 million inhabitants are exposed to arsenic contaminated drinking water in Hungary.  The naturally occuring arsenic in groundwater is 5-times higher than the European treshold.

The Hungarian limit value was 50 mg/L, but after joining the Eu Hungary acepted the 10 mg/L limit value. The deadline of Hungary to reach the 10 mg/L limit value in drinking waters expired on 25th of December 2009.  From that time bottled water is ebsured for children and mothers at the affected areas.

The map shows, that mainly the Great Plain is effected by the arsenic groundwater.