Arsenic-free Water Research Articles

Increasing awareness of arsenic in Bangladesh: lessons from a public education programme.

Experts are making a major effort to find technical solutions to the serious public health problems posed by arsenic in drinking water in Bangladesh, but public education strategies receive less systematic attention. This article presents the findings of a study evaluating the impact of a 1999 campaign by the 18 District Towns Project to educate the public about the arsenic problem in six Bangladesh towns, where half of the population was estimated to be using arsenic-contaminated domestic water: (1). Water users were advised not to consume arsenic-affected tube-well water; (2). A simple, temporary water treatment method was recommended for those using such water, if they had no safe alternative source; (3). Caretakers of tube-wells having arsenic-free water were advised to share their water sources with others. This evaluation study, utilizing a combination of quantitative and qualitative social research methods, found those influenced by the programme to have higher awareness levels and significantly lower levels of risk behaviour than others. Yet more than half of the at-risk, programme-influenced survey respondents were found still to be drinking (57%) or cooking with (54%) arsenic-affected water. Despite the fact that the campaign did not have a satisfactory public health impact, the experience can inform future efforts to educate the Bangladeshi public about arsenic. One finding is widespread confusion about trusted tube-well water being newly labelled as 'unsafe'. Some think the problem is in the hand pumps themselves. Awareness of life threatening danger from arsenic contamination was found to be low. Learning points from this experience are: the value of explaining together with water testing; giving people opportunities to ask questions; repeating messages; continuing to educate children about the serious risks of consuming surface water; conducting community-wide education programmes for people of all ages; and evaluating the impact of specific public education strategies. Respecting such principles in public information campaigns will greatly help the public to benefit from future technical developments.

Adsorbent-based point-of-use system for arsenic removal in rural areas

Arsenic in groundwater is recognised as a threat to public health worldwide and specifically in rural areas of several developing countries (e.g. Bangladesh). Different treatment technologies are available or under investigation that, when properly operated, can reduce arsenic concentrations to a sufficiently low level. These technologies are inappropriate for rural communities in developing countries where arsenic-related problems are most pronounced, and where centralised water treatment facilities are frequently absent. Arsenic-related health hazards are associated with the use of arsenic-contaminated water for drinking and food preparation, corresponding to only 2–4 litres per capita per day. Arsenic removal in rural areas, where centralised water treatment and distribution facilities are unavailable, should consequently be carried out at household level and the system applied should be simple and affordable. Arsenic adsorption capacities of different virgin and iron-coated materials were first examined in batch adsorption experiments. Both iron-coated sand (ICS) and iron-impregnated granular activated carbon (IGAC) show high As(III) and As(V) adsorption capacities that decrease at high pH values. Three simple point-of-use systems, namely, a ‘tea bag’, a ‘coffee filter’ and a simple ‘family filter’, all with iron-coated sand or iron-impregnated granular activated carbon were tested. The ‘tea bag’ system was not successful because too long an adsorption time was required. The ‘coffee filter’ performed better, however, results obtained with the simple ‘family filter’ were most promising. The simple ‘family filter’ containing 2 litres of IGAC is expected to supply a family in rural Bangladesh with arsenic-free water for drinking and cooking for, on average, 18 months without adsorbent replacement.

Arsenic contamination of ground and pond water and water purification system using pond water in Bangladesh

This paper, firstly, shows the distribution of arsenic-contaminated groundwater in Samta village. This village, which is in Jessore district in Bangladesh, was chosen as a model village for investigating the mechanism of groundwater contamination. 90% of the tube wells in this village had arsenic concentrations above the Bangladesh standard of 0.05 mg/l. Tube wells with arsenic concentrations of over 0.50 mg/l were distributed in the southern part of the village with a belt-like shape from east to west. Secondly, groundwater distribution is discussed with respect to its flow and the high arsenic zone (As≥0.50 mg/l) agrees well with the drifting zone of the groundwater. Furthermore, arsenic-free water supply systems suitable for a small area in the village have been developed. A pond sand filter (PSF) system which purifies pond water is discussed in this paper. Prior to the construction of the PSF, the water quality in ponds was examined for arsenic levels. The inflow of drainage from the tube wells was found to be the major cause of arsenic contamination of pond water. The PSF installed in Samta is working very well and produces a good quality of treated water.

MECHANISM OF ARSENIC POLLUTION OF GROUNDWATER AND COUNTERMEASURES FOR THE POLLUTION IN BANGLADESH

90% of the tube wells in Samta village, where we have been investigating the causes of the arsenic contamination in groundwater and developing arsenic-free water supply systems since March 1997, had arsenic concentrations above the Bangladesh standard of 0.05mg/1. Tube wells with arsenic concentrations of over 0.50mg/l were distributed in the southern part with a belt-like shape from east to west and the arsenicconcentration was decreasing toward northern part of the village. In order to examine the characteristics of arsenic distribution in Samta, the arsenic pollution of groundwater in extensive area including Samta village was investigated and the distribution of arsenic pollution for the area was obtained in the paper. From some discussion about the examination and review of the geological survey results & change of arsenic concentration with time in Samta which have beenobtained in these years, we propose a model for explaining the characteristics of arsenic pollution in Samta in the paper. And the movements of countermeasures for arsenic pollution problems by us are introduced here, too.

A Review of Arsenic Poisoning and its Effects on Human Health

The incidence of arsenic contamination of ground water used for both irrigation as well as for human consumption or industrial activities has taken the dimension of an epidemiological problem. It has been established that inorganic arsenic is extremely toxic, both acute and chronic. Initially, it enters into the human body through ingestion, inhalation, or skin absorption. After entering into the body it is distributed in a large number of organs, including the lungs, liver, kidney, and skin. The clinical manifestations of arsenic poisoning are myriad, and the correct diagnosis depends largely on awareness of the problem. It is very difficult to diagnose early symptoms of arsenicosis because such nonspecific symptoms may also be present in many other diseases. Medicine used for the remedy of arsenicosis has been found to be unsatisfactory by repeated application and experience. Melanosis may disappear but keratosis is not altered, although it can prevent further complication. Once the complication (malignancy) has developed using medicine may not prevent it. The symptoms and signs of arsenic poisoning may be reduced if the quality of drinking water was improved. Arsenic-free water or a decrease in the arsenic level in the drinking water source is essential for overall development.

Arsenic pollution of groundwater and water supply by purification of pond water in Bangladesh

Arsenic-contaminated groundwater has been found in 59 districts (as of January 1999) out of a total of 64 districts in Bangladesh where almost all drinking water is supplied from groundwater. The cause of arsenic contamination of groundwater is not clear yet, and it is estimated that about 40 million people are at risk of arsenic poisoning accordingly. The arsenic-free water supply system is, therefore, urgently needed in Bangladesh. Since March 1997 we have been investigating the causes of the arsenic contamination in groundwater and developing arsenic-free water supply systems by using the water in ponds, namely, a Pond Sand Filter system (“PSF” hereafter) in Samta village of Jessore district, which we have chosen as a model village for our research. Prior to the construction of PSF, arsenic, though at low levels, was found in the half of the ponds surveyed. PSF was completed at the end of January 1999. This paper shows the results of our investigations on arsenic pollution of pond water together with that of groundwater and the quality of the treated water by PSF.