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Citation
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HERO ID
1026439
Reference Type
Journal Article
Title
Arsenic mitigation in Bangladesh: National screening data and case studies in three upazilas
Author(s)
Johnston, RB; Sarker, MH
Year
2007
Is Peer Reviewed?
1
Journal
Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A: Toxic/Hazardous Substances & Environmental Engineering
ISSN:
1093-4529
EISSN:
1532-4117
Volume
42
Issue
12
Page Numbers
1889-1896
Language
English
PMID
17952790
DOI
10.1080/10934520701567155
Web of Science Id
WOS:000250556000021
Abstract
Since 2000, nearly 5 million wells in Bangladesh have been tested for arsenic. Results of this survey are presented, and it is estimated that approximately 20% of tube wells nationwide contain arsenic above the drinking water limit of 50 parts per billion, with approximately 20 million people at risk of consuming water above this limit. Three case studies in arsenic mitigation are presented, which indicate that substantial progress has been made in raising awareness about arsenic. Substantial differences were found in tubewell surveys made in 2001 and 2005, with 17% of tubewells painted green in 2001 showing arsenic above 50 ppb in 2005, and 12% of tubewells painted red in 2001 showing 50 ppb arsenic or less in 2005. In 38% of households having red tubewells, household water was found to contain 50 ppb arsenic or less, indicating substantial behaviour change. In two upazilas where safe alternatives (primarily safe shallow tubewells and newly installed deep tubewells) are available, 52% and 75% of people at risk were found to have arsenic-safe water in the household, indicating that they have changed their drinking water sources. In a third upazila where safe alternatives are scarce, less than 10% of people at risk were found to have safe water in the home. The greatest challenges remain in areas where contamination is high but installation of new safe water points is constrained for technical reasons (e.g. unsuitability of the deep aquifer).
Tags
IRIS
•
Arsenic Hazard ID
1. Initial Lit Search
PubMed
ToxNet
4. Considered through Oct 2015
7. Other Studies through Oct 2015
Other
•
Arsenic (Inorganic)
1. Literature
PubMed
Toxline, TSCATS, & DART
3. Hazard ID Screening
Other potentially supporting studies
5. Susceptibility Screening
Excluded/Not relevant
•
Arsenic Susceptibility
1. Susceptibility Literature Screening
Keyword Search
2. Excluded
Not Relevant
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