Toxic Elements in Bangladesh’s Drinking Water

Abstract

Increasing exposure to heavy metal contamination in aquatic environment can have serious health consequences in Bangladesh. Although a shift from using surface water to groundwater significantly reduced waterborne diseases in Bangladesh, vast areas of Bangladesh are affected by groundwater arsenic contamination above WHO drinking water guideline. There are also some other emerging contaminants in drinking water which have not historically been considered as pollutants but are now being more widely detected. Millions of Bangladeshis are drinking water with unsafe levels of arsenic (As), manganese (Mn), boron (B), barium (Ba), chromium (Cr), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), or uranium (Ur). Approximately, 45% area of Bangladesh contains groundwater with As concentration greater than the standard limit for Bangladesh drinking water. Manganese, Pb, Ni, and Cr are also found at significant concentrations in groundwater. About 50%, 3%, <1%, and <1% of Bangladesh’s area exceeds WHO guidelines for Mn, Pb, Ni, and Cr, respectively. Besides these, concentrations of Cd and B are higher than the safe value in river water which might create an adverse effect on riparian ecosystem. Most groundwater contamination originates either as point source or nonpoint source. Urban areas contribute more pollutants to groundwater than non-urban areas. Industrial areas are more adversely affected by heavy metals compared to non-industrial areas. These emerging contaminants in the form of heavy metals pose significant human health risks. In order to understand the significance of public health strategy of safe drinking water, a thorough review of emerging contaminants in drinking water, its toxicity, and health hazards, as well as future directions toward sustainable development goals (SDGs), is necessary.