Global context of arsenic contamination in groundwater aquifers

Md Anwarul Abedin, Rajib Shaw

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

The contamination of groundwater by natural arsenic is currently a worldwide epidemic. Arsenic-contaminated groundwater has been reported in Argentina, Chile, Mexico, China, Hungary, West Bengal in India, Bangladesh, and Vietnam. Of these regions, Bangladesh and West Bengal are the most seriously affected in terms of the size of the population at risk and magnitude of health problems. Hence, chronic exposure to arsenic >5000μg/L in drinking water can result in serious health problems. Common symptoms of arsenic-related ailments are skin, cardiovascular, renal, hematological, and respiratory disorders. Therefore, this chapter focuses on nature, origin, and extent of groundwater arsenic contamination, probable causes, and its impacts on food, drinking water, and social coverage. It further discloses mitigation approaches proposed and practiced by the different research groups to combat this problem and finally concludes.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationWater Insecurity
Subtitle of host publicationA Social Dilemma
PublisherEmerald Group Publishing Ltd.
Pages23-49
Number of pages27
ISBN (Print)9781781908822
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2013
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameCommunity, Environment and Disaster Risk Management
Volume13
ISSN (Print)2040-7262
ISSN (Electronic)2040-7270

Keywords

  • Arsenic contamination
  • Global distribution
  • Groundwater
  • Impacts
  • Removal methods

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Environmental Science (miscellaneous)
  • Safety, Risk, Reliability and Quality
  • Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law

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