An Evaluation of Simplifying Modifications to the SenSafe Quick™ Arsenic II as a Method of Widespread Well Water Monitoring in North Carolina (2023)

Undergraduate: Aaron Wei

Faculty Advisor: Amanda Northcross
Department: Environmental Sciences and Engineering

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Approximately one third of NC residents rely on well water and are responsible for the monitoring of their own wells. However, regular monitoring may not be feasible in historically disadvantaged areas, often due to budget constraints. Therefore, inequities arise when low-income communities located in areas predisposed to ground water contamination, such as arsenic ion in the NC Piedmont, ¬¬which poses a threat to equitable public health. Thus, innovative, novel, and cost-saving approaches may be needed to monitor water safety in the areas, such as using low-cost field kits. Specifically, the SenSafe Quick™ Arsenic II test kit shows promise as a cost-effective and reliable test kit. However, preliminary data shows that these field kits may be difficult for civilian use which prompts investigation into simplifying modifications. Removing potassium peroxymonosulfate (reagent 2) as a reagent, as well as combining the reaction steps of the addition of L-tartaric acid (reagent 1) and zinc (reagent 3), were tested as potential modifications at 5, 10, and 15 ppb spiked samples of arsenic 3+ ion. A three-way ANOVA found no significant difference among any groups within each sample concentration. Therefore, we fail to reject the null hypothesis of a difference in the arsenic response between the modifications and the original procedure. Removing reagent 2, as well as combining the addition reagents 1 and 3 may be a viable method of increasing accessibility and usability of the SenSafe Quick™ Arsenic II Test Kit by untrained civilians while maintaining acceptable accuracy.

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