Arsenic in Groundwater: A World Problem

On the first of April 2008, the Netherlands national Committee of the Dutch Chapter of IAH presented their Publication No.5 "Arsenic in Groundwater: A World Problem".

During the past two decennia it has become apparent that arsenic poisoning (As) via groundwater has become a worldwide problem. Some of the best-documented and most severe cases of arsenic contaminated groundwater have been found in aquifers in Asia (e.g. parts of Bangladesh, China, India, Nepal) and South America (e.g. Argentina, Mexico). High levels of arsenic in groundwater not only cause significant problems in the provision of safe drinking water, but lately have also raised concern regarding food safety: in the case of long-term use of groundwater for irrigation purposes - whereby crops become contaminated due to the accumulation of arsenic. Long-term exposure to arsenic has been associated with cancer of the skin, lungs, urinary tract, kidneys and liver, and can also produce various other non-cancerous effects. Recent studies also indicate the adverse effects of arsenic exposure on reproduction and child development.

The various contributions dealing with, among others, occurrence and causes of arsenic contamination and its effects on health and food production, give a clear and broad insight into the state-of-the-art knowledge of all aspects of arsenic in groundwater. The publication No.5 Arsenic in Groundwater - a World Problem presents the arsenic problem in such way that it becomes accessible to a broad and involved public that normally might not have easy access to scientific literature; giving this publication a rather unique status among the extensive list of existing literature on this subject.