Arsenic in the Sunshine State: What a Key Scientific Study Means for Florida Homeowners

If you live in Florida, you might have caught wind of local news stories or neighborhood chatter about arsenic in the soil and water. For homeowners—especially those who garden, have children who play in the yard, or rely on private well water—the mere mention of arsenic can be alarming.

But before you panic, it helps to look at the science. A comprehensive review published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, titled “Natural Background and Anthropogenic Arsenic Enrichment in Florida Soils, Surface Water, and Groundwater,” takes a deep dive into exactly where Florida’s arsenic comes from and what it actually means for public health.

Here is a breakdown of the study’s findings and what every Florida homeowner needs to know.

1. Where is the Arsenic Coming From?

The study points out that arsenic in Florida comes from two main categories:

• Natural Sources: Florida’s natural geology is surprisingly rich in arsenic. The state’s foundational limestone and organic-rich soils (like peat) naturally contain trace amounts of the element.
• Human-Made (Anthropogenic) Sources: This is where things get more complicated. The study notes that human activity has added roughly 610,000 metric tons of arsenic to Florida’s environment since 1970. Historically, arsenic was heavily used in agricultural pesticides (dating back to the 1890s), fertilizers, weed killers on golf courses, cattle-dipping vats, and in chromated copper arsenate (CCA) used to pressure-treat wood.

Because Florida has seen massive population growth, a lot of land that was once used for agriculture or golf courses has been converted into the residential neighborhoods we live in today.

2. Soil Standards: Are We Overreacting?

Currently, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) sets the “Soil Cleanup Target Level” (SCTL) for residential areas at a very strict 2.1 mg/kg.

One of the major takeaways from the paper is that this regulatory limit is incredibly conservative. In fact, many completely natural, untouched soils in Florida naturally exceed this 2.1 mg/kg limit.

The researchers emphasize that just because your soil tests slightly above this threshold does not automatically mean you or your family are in danger. The actual risk depends on the specific chemical form of the arsenic, how much of it is actually absorbed by the body (bioavailability), and how you are exposed to it. For the average homeowner, occasionally getting dirt on your hands while gardening poses a drastically lower risk than ingesting contaminated water.

3. The Real Focus: Your Drinking Water

While the study suggests that minor soil contamination might not warrant a panic, it highlights a much more important area for homeowner vigilance: Groundwater.

If you are on municipal city water, your water is rigorously tested and treated to ensure it stays below the EPA’s safety limit of 10 micrograms per liter (µg/L). However, if you rely on a private shallow well, you are responsible for your own water quality.

The researchers note that private wells—especially those located near old golf courses, former agricultural lands, or in areas with naturally high-arsenic geology (like the Peace River basin)—can carry elevated levels of dissolved arsenic. Since arsenic is tasteless and odorless, you wouldn’t know it was there without testing.

Actionable Steps for Florida Homeowners

So, what should you do with this information? Here is a practical checklist based on the science:

• Test Your Well Water: If your home uses a private well for drinking or cooking, get it tested annually by a state-certified laboratory. Specifically, ask them to test for heavy metals, including arsenic.
• Consider a Water Filter: If your well water does show elevated arsenic levels, don’t worry—it is treatable. Reverse Osmosis (RO) systems installed under your kitchen sink are highly effective at filtering out arsenic. (Note: Standard carbon pitcher filters like Brita do not remove arsenic).
• Practice Safe Gardening: If you live on a former golf course or agricultural plot and are concerned about soil, practice common-sense hygiene. Wash your hands after yard work, wash your homegrown vegetables thoroughly, and consider using raised garden beds with imported organic soil for growing edible plants.
• Look Out for Old Wood: If you have an old deck or playground set built before 2004, it may have been built with CCA-treated wood. Consider sealing the wood every few years with a penetrating oil or water-based sealant to prevent arsenic from leaching into the surrounding soil.

The Bottom Line:
The scientific consensus is clear: while arsenic is widely present in Florida’s environment due to both nature and history, it isn’t an invisible monster lurking in every yard. By understanding the real risks—primarily drinking untreated well water—you can take simple, smart steps to keep your home and family safe.