What is the effect of arsenic pollution in ground water?
Arsenic contamination of groundwater is estimated to be affecting 500 million people around the globe. Continuous exposure to high arsenic water causes pigmentation, hyperkeratoses, ulceration, skin cancer and also affects liver, kidney, heart, and lungs (Sun et al., 2019 and references therein).
Is arsenic in groundwater toxic?
Arsenic is naturally present at high levels in the groundwater of a number of countries. Arsenic is highly toxic in its inorganic form. Contaminated water used for drinking, food preparation and irrigation of food crops poses the greatest threat to public health from arsenic.
What health problems result from arsenic in water?
Long-term exposure to low levels of inorganic arsenic in drinking water is known to cause human health problems including: cancer, thickening and discoloration of the skin, problems with blood vessels, high blood pressure, heart disease, nerve effects including numbness and/or pain, and interference with some important …
What are the causes of arsenic in groundwater?
Arsenic can enter the water supply from natural deposits in the earth or from industrial and agricultural pollution. It is widely believed that naturally occurring arsenic dissolves out of certain rock formations when ground water levels drop significantly.
Is arsenic soluble in groundwater?
Elemental arsenic is not soluble in water. In water, arsenic is mostly found in inorganic forms as oxyanions of trivalent arsenite (AsIII) or pentavalent arsenate (AsV).
How is arsenic removed from groundwater?
Both species of arsenic can be removed from drinking water through adsorption using a granular ferric oxy-hydroxide media. In this process, the media is typically utilized on a single-use basis to treat pre-chlorinated groundwater containing arsenate in the range of 11 to 40 ppb with neutral pH conditions.
How does arsenic impact our health?
Arsenic can cause lung and skin cancers and may cause other cancers. The association between chronic arsenic exposure and cancer is strongest for skin, lung, and bladder cancer. Liver (angiosarcoma), kidney, and other cancers have limited strength of association [IARC 2004; NRC 2000].
Why is arsenic toxic?
Arsenic exerts its toxicity by inactivating up to 200 enzymes, especially those involved in cellular energy pathways and DNA synthesis and repair. Acute arsenic poisoning is associated initially with nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and severe diarrhoea. Encephalopathy and peripheral neuropathy are reported.
How much arsenic is safe in well water?
10 micrograms per liter
The maximum level of arsenic the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) allows in community water systems is 10 micrograms per liter (µg/L*). However, consuming water with arsenic at levels lower than the EPA standard over many years can still increase your risk of cancer.
How is arsenic toxic?
How does arsenic get into soil?
Arsenic in soil results from human activities including pesticide use, mining and ore processing operations, operating coal burning power plants, and waste disposal. Sites of former tanneries, which make leather from animal hides, have large amounts of arsenic in the soil.
What are the health risks of arsenic?
(1) Association of arsenic with adverse pregnancy outcomes/infant mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
What causes elevated arsenic levels?
Arsenic has been found to contaminate such common items as wine,glues,and pigments.
What are the long term effects of arsenic poisoning?
– Deafness – difficulty moving – earache – eye dryness, redness, or pain – loss of bowel or bladder control – night sweats – ringing in the ears – small red or purple spots on the skin – swelling of the abdominal or stomach area
What are the hazards of arsenic?
Arsenic (As) is a white to gray, brittle solid. It occurs naturally in water and soil. Arsenic can be harmful to the eyes, skin, liver, kidneys, lungs, and lymphatic system. Exposure to arsenic can also cause cancer. Workers may be harmed from exposure to arsenic. The level of exposure depends upon the dose, duration, and work being done.