What are the main causes of arsenic contamination in Bangladesh?
Fifty million people of Bangladesh were estimated to be at risk of exposure to arsenic through consumption of water from contaminated tubewells. Chronic exposure to arsenic causes arsenicosis and may include multi-organ pathologies. Many of the health effects of chronic toxicity are evident in Bangladesh.
Where did arsenic come from in Bangladesh?
Sources of Arsenic in Groundwater in Bangladesh But it is now widely believed that the high arsenic levels in the groundwater in Bangladesh have a natural geological source which may be due to abstraction water from quaternary confined and semi-confined alluvial or deltaic aquifers.
How did arsenic get into the drinking water in Bangladesh?
It seemed like a good idea—because rivers and ponds in Bangladesh were contaminated with bacteria, Bangladeshis switched to wells. Groundwater flow then brings the arsenic-rich water to the wells. Future wells dug deep enough, to the low-arsenic part of the aquifer, could help.
How many people does arsenic affect Bangladesh?
A recent report from the World Bank has estimated that 20 million inhabitants of Bangladesh may be drinking arsenic-contaminated water (18). In the 200 villages surveyed by the Rapid Action Programme, 1802 of 469424 people were found to have arsenic-induced skin lesions.
What are the sources of arsenic contamination?
Mining, metal smelting and burning of fossil fuels are the major industrial processes that contribute to arsenic contamination of air, water and soil. The use of arsenic-containing pesticides in the past has left large areas of agricultural land contaminated.
How many people have died from arsenic poisoning in Bangladesh?
By the government count, about 65 000 people have arsenicosis, and health officials estimate that around 100 or 200 people die from arsenic exposure a year.
How is arsenic created?
The most common arsenic-containing mineral is arsenopyrite. Others include realgar, orpiment and enargite. Most arsenic is produced as a by-product of copper and lead refining. It can be obtained from arsenopyrite by heating, causing the arsenic to sublime and leave behind iron(II) sulfide.
What is the main source of arsenic?
Among the various routes of arsenic exposure, drinking water is the largest source of arsenic poisoning worldwide. Arsenic exposure from ingested foods usually comes from food crops grown in arsenic-contaminated soil and/or irrigated with arsenic-contaminated water.
Who limits arsenic?
The current recommended limit of arsenic in drinking-water is 10 μg/L, although this guideline value is designated as provisional because of practical difficulties in removing arsenic from drinking-water.
What is the symbol of arsenic?
As
Arsenic/Symbol
Who created arsenic?
Albertus Magnus
Periodic Table app
| Discovery date | approx 1250 |
|---|---|
| Discovered by | Albertus Magnus |
| Origin of the name | The name is thought to come from ‘arsenikon’, the Greek name for the yellow pigment orpiment. |
| Allotropes | Yellow As, Grey As, Black As |
Why was arsenic created?
History and Uses: Although arsenic compounds were mined by the early Chinese, Greek and Egyptian civilizations, it is believed that arsenic itself was first identified by Albertus Magnus, a German alchemist, in 1250. Arsenic and its compounds are poisonous. They have been used to make rat poison and some insecticides.