Cerro Gordo County Health Department has started to investigate the high levels of arsenic found in the Bowers Acres area just south of Mason City. Cerro Gordo County Environmental Health Service Manager Tom Reichard says they’re trying to develop a plan of action to find solutions.Reichard says they need to find out if arsenic has already affected the area’s residents by taking nail and hair samples.Reichard says they need to find the source of the arsenic contamination. The tests will be available to residents free of charge.The federal standard for arsenic is 50 parts per billion. Several tests have shown levels of up to 150 parts per billion in Bowers Acres and the Oakwood Park Water Association near Clear Lake.
