An estimate of 94 million to 220 million people around the world are potentially exposed to groundwater containing dangerous levels of arsenic, about 94% is in Asia. In similar poor areas like South America, the water security for these millions pose threats for both daily and future water needs. A new study reveals that 'understanding arsenic hazard is especially essential in areas facing current or future water insecurity.'
Arsenic is a natural element originating from the earth's crust and is distributed in the environment finding it's way in water, land, and air. In its inorganic form, arsenic is highly toxic.
People can then be exposed to arsenic at toxic amounts through the consumption of contaminated food and water, smoking tobacco, using contaminated water in food preparation and farming, as well as industrial processes.
The World Health Organization (WHO) set guidelines in understanding arsenic, which became the guide for a global map revealing arsenic hot spots, marked by the color red, showing that some of the hot spot nations include Argentina, China, Pakistan, Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Mongolia.
Safe drinking water levels are below 10 micrograms per liter, according to the study by Science, and levels exceeding that raised concerns for the millions living in affected areas.
Although North America shows generally safe levels on the map, marked in blue to white, millions in the rural area could still be exposed to arsenic from their water wells.
The global prediction maps risk probability through a random forest machine-learning model where the scientists measured groundwater arsenic concentration.
'Our global prediction map includes known arsenic-affected areas and previously undocumented areas of concern,' claim the scientists.
From Discomfort to Skin Cancer
While organic arsenic compounds can be found in seafood and remain harmless, inorganic compounds have more serious consequences when consumed.
'Acute arsenic poisoning include vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea,' as reported by the WHO, describing initial discomfort.
Long-term effects of arsenic poisoning get more serious on the skin with its symptoms including patches on the hands and feet, or hyperkeratosis, change in pigmentation.
Such symptoms occur with a minimum exposure of five years and can lead to skin cancer. Other health effects of similar exposure include diabetes, pulmonary disease, and even cardiovascular disease.
A specific disease found in Taiwan called the 'Blackfoot disease,' was found to be directly related to arsenic poisoning. This severe disease of one's blood vessels leads to gangrene.
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Hopeful Outcomes From the Study
With the various health concerns relating to dangerous levels of arsenic in groundwater, the study ends on a positive and hopeful note.
Environmental Scientist Joel Podgorski from the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology shares that for the past 12 years, more data has been available for conclusive studies.
Podgorski shares that the global risk map's 'greatest value lies in identifying potential areas at risk that have not had testing.'
The study ends in a supporting tone that as groundwater remains important to these growing populations and can help in securing water scarcity from climate change, 'this work is important to raise awareness, identify areas for safe wells, and help prioritize testing.'
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