Emerging Arsenic Threat in Canada

Abstract

L. Rodriguez-Lado et al. 's geostatistical model (“Groundwater arsenic contamination throughout China,” Reports, 23 August, p. [866][1]) has revealed the hidden risk of arsenic exposure in drinking water, particularly in China. The accompanying Perspective by H. A. Michael (“An arsenic forecast for China,” p. [852][1]) highlighted the global burden of arsenic-contaminated drinking water and the potential utility of Rodriguez-Lado's model to identify populations exposed to arsenic before the development of symptoms. In Canada, arsenic is not currently a primary public health concern. However, we would like to point out the urgency of this emerging threat. More than a quarter of a million tons of arsenic generated over 50 years during the operation of the Giant Mine in Yellowknife (Northern Canada) reside underground and in piles aboveground. Because cleanup is deemed too great a health risk, the arsenic will be frozen in the ground, at a cost of nearly one billion Canadian dollars ([ 1 ][2]). In almost every province, arsenic-contaminated drinking water is a growing health concern in Canada. From Nova Scotia to British Columbia, arsenic levels frequently exceed those deemed safe by the World Health Organization (WHO) ([ 2 ][3]). Tools such as those described by Rodgriguez-Lado et al. will not only help identify areas to prioritize for immediate action in Canada and around the world, but also encourage public health agencies to monitor those already chronically exposed. 1. [↵][4]B. Weber, “Giant Mine's high cleanup bill shakes up policy on toxic sites,” The Globe and Mail (1 April 2013). 2. [↵][5]1. C. F. McGuigan, 2. C. L. A. Hamula, 3. S. Huang, 4. S. Gabos, 5. X. C. Le , Environ. Rev. 18, 291 (2010). [OpenUrl][6][CrossRef][7][Web of Science][8] [1]: pending:yes [2]: #ref-1 [3]: #ref-2 [4]: #xref-ref-1-1 View reference 1 in text [5]: #xref-ref-2-1 View reference 2 in text [6]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DEnviron.%2BRev.%26rft.volume%253D18%26rft.spage%253D291%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1139%252FA10-012%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [7]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.1139/A10-012&link_type=DOI [8]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=000285680400015&link_type=ISI