Contamination of Drinking-Water by Arsenic in Bangladesh

Arsenic is well known for its dangerous toxic features it brings to humans and the environment. But, it was not until the late 1980’s did scientists and public health officials realized that even at low doses of ingestion, arsenic is very dangerous and can cause serious health effects (Bolt, 2013). Till this day arsenic continues to be a huge public health issue, not only in parts of the United States but in developing countries worldwide (Bolt, 2013). The main trend that researchers have been focusing on is the amount of arsenic that is contaminating drinking water. Arsenic has been known to be a health issue in water for many years, but it was not until the 1980’s and later that the government and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) started to really crack down on monitoring it (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry [ATSDR] , 2010). Before 2001 the legal amount of arsenic that was allowed in drinking water was 50 parts per billion (ppb), but since then public health officials and the government realized that this amount of arsenic in the water was making people sick (ATSDR, 2010). So on January 22, 2001, the EPA adopted a new standard of 10 ppb of arsenic is drinking water (ATSDR, 2010). This level has been tested to be the safest allowable amount of arsenic in drinking water to be ingested by humans. To this day parts of the world and about 2% of the United States are still having issues with keeping the

     Heavy metals, such as copper, lead, mercury, and selenium are another group of toxins that pollute the water as well as the rest of the environment. The source of many of these pollutants are industries, automobile exhaust, mines, and even natural soil.

The impending crisis in India would be a good opportunity to study the effects of the poison and perhaps show the rest of the world the importance of awareness and spark them into action. Arsenic is a destructive element that must be contained and controlled. Up until now, few individuals know much about the impacts of arsenic. This is shocking since it is a element that will undoubtedly influence the lives of many individuals on this planet in the following couple of

Copper is another pollutant that at very high levels is toxic and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, loss of strength or, for serious exposure, cirrhosis of the liver (Pure Water Services). In order for copper to metabolized the heavy metal zinc is needed. Zinc helps with copper breakdown but too much zinc can cause a copper deficiency which can also cause problems such as anemia. While copper has some severe side effects there have not been any cases that are related to cancer. In most cases throughout the Silver Bow Creek copper is not thought to be a severe threat to the community.

According to ( Compton's by Britannica, 2011, SIRS discover) Lead is found in tap water and other water sources which is toxic metal

River water near the spill showed elevated levels of lead and thallium, Mercury and arsenic cadmium and lead exceeding Clean Water Act standards designed to protect aquatic life as well as humans who come in contact with the water. Which can cause birth defects and nervous and reproductive system disorders?

Copper is a naturally occurring element that can be found in all plants and animals. A certain amount of copper is necessary for health, and the human body has developed a way to maintain the proper level of copper in it (Minnesota). Even so, large concentrations of copper, and general long-term exposure, can have a negative impact on the body. Symptoms include stomachaches, vomiting, diarrhea, liver and kidney damage, and even death (Lenntech). Exposure to copper comes from many areas, but the most common one is through the water. Copper is commonly found in plumbing pipes, which can lead to high levels of copper in drinking water and fresh water sources due to erosion. Lakes and streams are also treated with copper to prevent algae overgrowth (Group).

While nitrates are one of the major contaminants in the area, San Joaquin Valley residents face drinking water pollution from many other sources including arsenic, coliform bacteria, and pesticides. Arsenic is a naturally occurring semi-metal element that is found in different types of rocks. While arsenic primarily occurs naturally, human activities impact the amount of arsenic in groundwater. Arsenic is not only toxic at high concentrations, but also harmful after prolonged exposure at moderately elevated levels. California recognizes arsenic as a human carcinogen and believes prolonged exposure to the element to be associated with various cancers, including skin, bladder, kidney, lung, and liver cancers. A study in Maine found a connection between water contaminated

-Article 1- Ghaffour, N., M. Missimer, T., & L. Amy, G. (2013). Desalination (Technical review and evaluation of the economics of water desalination: Current and future challenges for better water supply sustainability) (Vol. 309, pp. 197-207). Thuwal.

The health hazards for humans who come in contact with contaminants from exposure to polluted water can have long term effects on the body causing possible organ failure and death. Contaminants and chemicals such lead and mercury can bring about many minor illnesses ranging from nausea, lung irritation, skin rash, vomiting, and dizziness, to the major diseases that include cancer, liver and kidney damage, disorders of the nervous system, damage to the immune system, birth defects and even death.

This chemical tends to occur naturally in soil, so sometimes it can make its way into your well. If you drink too much water contaminated with arsenic, you will be susceptible to an array of harsh side effects such as vomiting and a burning feeling. If your water supply is never checked and you drink arsenic-laced water regularly over time, your risk factor for developing several kinds of cancer will increase substantially.

Lead paint and pipes is where lead is most commonly found. These two sources are the main cause of lead poisoning. Lead paint can be found in old houses. The paint does not affect anyone until it starts to peel. When it begins to peel it creates a lead based dust; the dust spreads and contaminates everyday items. Touching these items then putting hands near the face or in the mouth is a way to contract lead poisoning. When it comes to children contracting lead poisoning studies show that it only takes an amount of dust comparable to one grain of salt to show high lead blood levels. Copper pipes, lead pipes, and brass faucets are a second main source for lead poisoning. (National Safety Council, 2009) Over time these pipes begin to corrode and the lead begins to seep into the drinking water. When this happens you usually will not know. The water you drink on a daily basis will taste and basically look the same.

“Long-term exposure to low doses of arsenic may change the way cells communicate, and reduce their ability to function, according to researchers at Dartmouth University. It could play a role in the development of diabetes, cancer, vascular disease and lung disease. The Food and Drug Administration says that long-term exposure to high levels of arsenic is associated with higher rates of skin cancer, bladder cancer and lung cancer, as well as heart disease.” (https://www.livescience.com/23304-arsenic-rice-fda-health-effects.html). Arsenic goes into the human body through inhalation, ingestion, and skin absorption.

Inorganic arsenic, which is often metabolised in humans into toxic methylated arsenicals, is known to be a potential carcinogen that causes tumours of the lungs, skin, urinary bladder, and other non-cancer effects (Radosavljevic & Jakovljevic, 2008). Arsenic is a significant contaminant and its organic and inorganic occurrence in the environment results from both natural and anthropogenic activities. Humans are mainly exposed to the organic forms - arsenite, AsO33-, and arsenate, AsO43-. Large populations in North and South America, as well as Millions more in India, Bangladesh, , and China are exposed high concentrations of organic form of arsenic through drinking water from geogenic sources (Kumar, 2010). Even as some areas experience

The second step of water treatment process is aeration. At the aerator, raw water is mixed with air. The aeration process helps to provide oxygen to the raw water which is needed for the oxidation process of dissolved iron and manganese in order for it to precipitate and therefore enables its removal through filtration (SAJ Holdings Sdn Bhd., n.d.). Wormleaton and Tsang (2000) stated that for water treatment process and also natural streams, it is essential to maintain a high amount of dissolved oxygen. Aeration also provides the escape of dissolved gases, such as carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulphide to reduce the corrosiveness of water, thus controls the tastes and odors of the water (Shun, 2007). Groundwater with high dissolved carbon dioxide levels or high concentrations of iron and manganese commonly require aeration as well as water drawn from reservoirs that is low in dissolved oxygen.