Attention! Drinking tap water in certain areas of Hungary is dangerous
Wondering about the safety of tap water in Hungary? Recent data from 2022 reveal concerning levels of inorganic arsenic in drinking water across several municipalities in the country’s southeast. The concentration of arsenic exceeds the European limit of 0.01 milligrams per litre (10.0 µ/litre), particularly prevalent in the southern reaches of the Great Hungarian Plain, notably in artesian waters. Arsenic exposure poses significant health risks.
Arsenic levels across the nation
According to reports from Portfolio , the most recent statistics provided by the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH) advise caution regarding tap water consumption in specific regions of Hungary. Generally, arsenic levels across the country fall within acceptable limits, typically ranging from 0 to 0.0077 milligrams per litre, comfortably below the established threshold. However, elevated concentrations are primarily concentrated in the southeastern regions, notably within counties bordering the Great Hungarian Plain, attributed to the prevalence of artesian springs.
Highest recorded arsenic levels
The highest arsenic levels are documented in the vicinity of Makó, particularly in Maroslele, Óföldeák and Földeák, where drinking water registers at least 0.0384 mg/litre. Similar elevated levels are also detected in Székkutas, situated in the Hódmezővásárhely District. However, in the eastern part of Csongrád-Csanád County, arsenic concentrations typically range between 0.0154 and 0.023 mg/litre, mirroring the trend in the western part of Békés County. In contrast, the western regions of the country exhibit minimal water discolouration, indicative of lower arsenic levels, rendering tap water comparatively safer in these areas.
The health risks of arsenic
Extensive research has illuminated the detrimental effects of arsenic, drawing insights from both human observations and animal studies. Findings indicate that inorganic arsenic is damaging to the skin, bladder and kidneys. Moreover, scientists have established a clear correlation between arsenic exposure and the development of kidney and lung tumours. Prolonged, low-dose consumption is linked to various chronic non-cancerous diseases, including skin lesions leading to scarring and changes in pigmentation, cardiovascular complications, peripheral and central nervous system disorders, as well as liver and kidney diseases, in addition to diabetes. In humans, the threshold associated with the risk of skin symptoms, including skin cancer, is particularly low.
Is it dangerous to drink tap water in Hungary?
The minimum level that leads to observed adverse effects due to chronic (sometimes lifelong) consumption ranges from 0.003 to 0.05 milligrams per kilogram of body weight (equivalent to 3 to 50 micrograms per kilogram of body weight per day). However, it’s imperative to note that numerous studies have identified exposure levels significantly below this threshold. Among these, the lowest recorded levels range from 0.8 to 4.3 micrograms per kilogram of body weight per day, translating to 0.0008 to 0.0043 milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day. Hence, the highest measured values in the country, at 0.0384 milligrams or higher, fall well within the range associated with adverse health effects.
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