Extensive arsenic contamination in high-pH unconfined aquifers in the Indus Valley

Abstract

Fifty million to 60 million people potentially exposed to high levels of groundwater arsenic, which is coincident with areas of irrigation.

Current Situation of Aqueous Arsenic Contamination in Pakistan, Focused on Sindh and Punjab Province, Pakistan: A Review

“…Alarmingly high levels of As in Pakistan's ground water also in surface water have been found [15]. It is recently reported that more than 50 million people in Pakistan were at a risk of arsenic poisoning because most of Pakistani communities use groundwater for drinking and other households polluted with arsenic [16]. Previous studies of 1990's had revealed that groundwater in some areas of Pakistan also contained high levels of arsenic while the extent of those risks was still unknown [17].…”

“…In 2003, another PCRWR team worked on it, ground water samples were collected at 1,184 sites throughout the country, taken from wells down into the Earth till 100 feet. The team then used statistical methods to construct a hazard map and to estimate the size of population exposed to the threat [16,20]. According to a study conducted by Podgorski et al [16] and based on samples from 1,184 wells across the country actually proved that the process of boiling or filtration were not helpful to remove arsenic from groundwater.…”

“…The team then used statistical methods to construct a hazard map and to estimate the size of population exposed to the threat [16,20]. According to a study conducted by Podgorski et al [16] and based on samples from 1,184 wells across the country actually proved that the process of boiling or filtration were not helpful to remove arsenic from groundwater. Some expensive procedures such as reverse osmosis should be dealt by government because these were beyond the reach of most poor people [16].…”

“…As it was reported that more than 50 million people in Pakistan were at a risk of arsenic poisoning because of using groundwater for drinking purpose. So next, the team created the region's first risk map for arsenic pollution in water, which showed the probability of dangerous concentrations around the country [16,21]. By estimating the communities relying on groundwater for drinking, the team reported that 50 to 60 million people might use water contain more than 50 mg/L of arsenic, five times the WHO guideline by coming year was no step carried out for the solution.…”

“…By estimating the communities relying on groundwater for drinking, the team reported that 50 to 60 million people might use water contain more than 50 mg/L of arsenic, five times the WHO guideline by coming year was no step carried out for the solution. The map is given in the Figure 2 to show the increased probability of arsenic concentrations [15,16].…”