Drinking water quality from an arsenic contaminated district, Bangladesh: human health risk

The population of Bangladesh rely on groundwater for drinking, industrial, agricultural and domestic use. Unfortunately, arsenic (As), a class I toxic and carcinogenic element has been detected in the groundwater of Bangladesh where more than 150 million people are exposed to As contaminated water above 10 µg/L (the guideline value of As in drinking water by the World Health Organization, WHO). However, quality of groundwater resources varies from place to place, sometimes depending on seasonal changes, the types of soils, rocks and surfaces through which it flows. Pesticides and fertilizers applied to lawns and crops can coagulate and migrate to the water tables which are affecting both the physical, chemical and bacteriological quality of water. This study investigated the quality of water from an As contaminated area (Kushtia, Bangladesh) for human potability concerning their physicochemical and bacteriological contaminants and possible impact on human health. (author)