The water in nine areas of Batangas tested positive for arsenic, according to its Provincial Inter-Agency Task Force on Arsenic – Taal Volcano Protected Landscape (TVPL).
Arsenic is a carcinogenic chemical that could cause cancer and has a bad effect on an individual's skin and on fetuses, according to Provincial IATF on Arsenic-TVPL head Rhodora Reyes.
The substance was confirmed in the municipalities of Laurel, Balete, San Nicolas, Mataas na Kahoy, Alitagtag, Sta. Teresita, Lemery, Taal, and Tanauan.
According to the Batangas Provincial Information Office (PIO), the level of arsenic in the said areas is higher than the standard level of 10 parts per billion.
The presence of arsenic in water wells was first observed after Taal Volcano erupted on January 12, 2020.
In response to the situation, the PIO said the monitoring of arsenic levels in the surrounding municipalities is underway.
It added that the Batangas Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office has allotted P3.5 million from its trust fund to help in the ongoing water tests.
