Groundwater Arsenic Contamination in the Ganga River Basin - A Future Health Danger

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Groundwater Arsenic Contamination in the Ganga River Basin - A Future Health Danger

Groundwater Arsenic Contamination in the Ganga River Basin: A Future Health Danger

Dipankar Chakraborti, Sushant K. Singh, Mohammad Mahmudur Rahman, Rathindra Nath Dutta, Subhas Chandra Mukherjee, Shyamapada Pati and Probir Bijoy Kar

Abstract

This study highlights the severity of arsenic contamination in the Ganga River basin (GRB), which encompasses significant geographic portions of India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Tibet. The entire GRB experiences elevated levels of arsenic in the groundwater (up to 4730 µg/L), irrigation water (~1000 µg/L), and in food materials (up to 3947 µg/kg), all exceeding the World Health Organization’s standards for drinking water, the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization’s standard for irrigation water (100 µg/L), and the Chinese Ministry of Health’s standard for food in South Asia (0.15 mg/kg), respectively.

Several individuals demonstrated dermal, neurological, reproductive, cognitive, and cancerous effects; many children have been diagnosed with a range of arsenicosis symptoms, and numerous arsenic-induced deaths of youthful victims are reported in the GRB. Victims of arsenic exposure face critical social challenges in the form of social isolation and hatred by their respective communities.

Reluctance to establish arsenic standards and unsustainable arsenic mitigation programs have aggravated the arsenic calamity in the GRB and put millions of lives in danger. This alarming situation resembles a ticking time bomb. We feel that after 29 years of arsenic research in the GRB, we have seen the tip of the iceberg with respect to the actual magnitude of the catastrophe; thus, a reduced arsenic standard for drinking water, testing all available drinking water sources, and sustainable and cost-effective arsenic mitigation programs that include the participation of the people are urgently needed. 

Keywords : arsenic; Ganga River basin; drinking water; health effects; cancerous; social issues; mitigation

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health   2018 ,  15 (2), 180; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15020180

Chakraborti, D.; Singh, S.K.; Rahman, M.M.; Dutta, R.N.; Mukherjee, S.C.; Pati, S.; Kar, P.B. Groundwater Arsenic Contamination in the Ganga River Basin: A Future Health Danger.  Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2018 ,  15 , 180.

Source: MDPI

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7 Comments

  1. BioSafe may have a simple solution to remove arsenic from water. Based on  chemosorption technology. These simple filter cartridges can be supplied to  the millions of people suffering from arsenic poisoning. I will be introducing this filter this year to be used by millions of people in India and the Punjab

    1 Comment reply

  4. Mya tribute to Prof.Dipankar Chakraborthy who dedicated his life for research on public health and water related issues for the benefit of millions of Indians. 

    While exploring the solutions to Arsenic contamination of water, we also need to address the sources of arsenic contamination and try to minimize them. We also need to explore the process of contamination and the stages of contamination to Squarely address the issue.

     

    Recently adsorption based processes to reduce arsenic xontacontamin have also been developed by Singapore Technological University, worthy of study.

    2 Comment replies

    1. BioSafe Environmental Solutions produces a resin which absorbs arsenic to 5ppb

  5. Dear All Friends in MGKC,

    I express my tributes to Prof. Dipankar Charaborty,  a very sincere dedicated researcher, who actually knows the Groundwater Arsenic problems and issues in reality. I had many opportunities to exchange ideas and views with him in different meetings. May his soul rest in peace.

    The Arsenic Pollution Problem is much more severe than assessed and communicated so far for all stakeholders awareness. More understanding and knowledge generation is required on the sources and the processes controlling Arsenic pollution of groundwater, to better governance of the water resources in the GRB. I wish success to the researchers.

    Best wishes and regards to all.

    Prof. Partha Sarathi Datta 

    psdatta1950@gmail.com

    1 Comment reply

    1. BioSafe Water Treatment has a solution for removing arsenic from water  contact Don.Wilson @biosafewater.com

  6. Have we traced the origins and contributory sources of arsenic contamination? How much of contamination is man-made? Besides Dumping of Municipal solid wastes and electronic gadgets, which have not been addressed to by ULBs, do we have arsenic contaminants in shampoos, quick cleaners and industrial effluents that are untreated or partially treated but sure find their ways into ground water and tributaries,

  7. Dear Researchers . 

    At the start We will like to pay tribute and be in grief for the loss of Prof. DIPANKAR CHAKRAWORTHY for this Community. R I P .

    Now the only solution is catch Rain water where it falls in lined tanks,  pools. ponds. if in large qnty in lakes.  

    Total awareness and participation in communities.. start from schools. anganwadis. and vill. panchayats etc..

    Well wishes..

    Prof Ajit Seshadri. Vels University. Chennai. India .