Arsenic A Global problem

What is Arsenic ?

Arsenic is an element that it is a chemical that can’t be broken down into simpler  chemicals inorganic arsenic is a human carcinogen (EPA, 1984). 

  

                         

 Arsenic A Global problem

Two Hundred Million people worldwide are at risk to As exposure (NRC, 2001). Several regions in the World are above the WHO’s maximum permissible limit.  These include:

Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Vietnam, China, Thailand, Argentina, U.S.A, Chile,  Nepal, Mexico, Ghana, Taiwan.

 Where does arsenic come from?

Natural:

–        As occurs naturally & is widely distributed in the Earth’s crust

–        Volcanic activity, rock & mineral erosion, & forest fires release As

–        As is often concentrated in sulfide-bearing mineral deposits (e.g., gold and copper)

–        Strong affinity to pyrite (very abundant) and hydrous iron oxides

Anthropogenic or Man-Made:

–        Drilling Wells

–        Mineral Extraction

–        Processing Wastes

–        Pesticides

Levels of Arsenic in water depend on:

–        Level of human activity

–        Distance from pollution sources