Risk assessment of arsenic mitigation options in Bangladesh

2010

This study explores the status of arsenic test of tubewell and exposures to arsenic-contaminated tubewell water in the arsenic prone southern Bangladesh. Through a survey of 6,593 households, a total of 3,812 tubewells were sampled at baseline (2006/07) and 3,591 at midline (2009). Households were selected through multi-stage sampling procedure where each sub-district was considered as a cluster. Findings reveal that proportion of unmarked (to identify presence of arsenic) tubewells increased from 80% at baseline to 90% at midline (p<0.001). Proportion of tested tubewells was significantly decreased from 75% at baseline to 69% at midline (p<0.001). Of the tested tubewells, 60% was reported to be free from arsenic contamination. Around 44% of the household members usually drink water from arsenic contaminated tubewells. This study underlines that information, education and communication campaigns should be strengthened to raise awareness regarding negative effect of arsenic on ...

Metals and Genetics, 1999

The people of Bangladesh used to rely on surface water for drinking, which was often infected with cholera and other life-threatening diseases. To reduce the incidences of these diseases, millions of tubewells were installed in Bangladesh over the last 27 years. This recent transition from surface water to groundwater has significantly reduced deaths from water-borne pathogens; however, recent evidence suggests disease and death from arsenic and potentially other metals in groundwater are impacting large areas of Bangladesh. In this preliminary assessment the areal and vertical distribution of arsenic and other inorganic chemicals in the groundwater was mapped throughout Bangladesh. The study suggests that a major source of this arsenic may be one or more phosphate minerals containing arsenate as an impurity. Evidence for other potentially toxic heavy metals in groundwater was also discovered. Several appropriate treatment technologies were evaluated.

Health Policy and Planning, 2007

Bangladesh has already experienced the biggest catastrophe in the world due to arsenic contamination of drinking water. This study investigates the association of drinking arsenic-contaminated water (DACW) with both personal and household characteristics of 9116 household respondents using the household data of the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2004. Here DACW means that arsenic level in the drinking water is greater than the permissible limit (50 mg/l) of Bangladesh. The overall rate of DACW was 7.9%. It was found to be significantly associated with education, currently working, and division of Bangladesh, either by cross tabulation or multivariate logistic regression analyses or both. Similarly, household characteristics-namely television, bicycle, materials of the wall and floor, total family members, number of sleeping rooms, and availability of foods-were significantly associated in bivariate analyses. Many household characteristics-namely electricity, television, wall and floor materials, and number of sleeping rooms-revealed significant association in the logistic regression analysis when adjusted for age, education and division. This study indicates that respondents from Chittagong division and lower socioeconomic groups (indicated by household characteristics) are at significantly higher risk of DACW. These findings should be taken into account during the planning of future intervention activities in Bangladesh.

Frontiers in Environmental Science, 2015

Hossain M, Rahman SN, Bhattacharya P, Jacks G, Saha R and Rahman M (2015) Sustainability of arsenic mitigation interventions-an evaluation of different alternative safe drinking water options provided in Matlab, an arsenic hot spot in Bangladesh. Front. Environ. Sci. 3:30. The wide spread occurrence of geogenic arsenic in Bangladesh groundwater drastically reduced the safe water access across the country. Since its discovery in 1993, different mitigation options tested at household and community scale have resulted in limited success. The main challenge is to develop a simple, cost-effective, and socially acceptable option which the users can install, operate and maintain by themselves. In an arsenic hotspot of southeastern Bangladesh, 841 arsenic removal filter (ARF), 190 surface water filter membrane, 23 pond sand filter (PSF), 147 rain water harvester (RWH) and 59 As-safe tubewell were distributed among the severely exposed population by AsMat, a Sida supported project. After 3-4 years of providing these safe water options, this study was carried out during 2009-2010 for performance analysis of these options, in terms of technical viability and effectiveness and thus to evaluate the preference of different options to the end users. Household and community based surveys were done to make an assessment of the current water use pattern as impact of the distributed options, overall condition of the options provided and to identify the reasons why these options are in use and/or abandoned. In total, 284 households were surveyed and information was collected for 23 PSF, 147 RWH, and 59 tubewells. None of the filters was found in use. Among other options distributed, 13% of PSF, 40% RWH, and 93% of tubewell were found functioning. In all cases, tubewells were found As-safe. About 89% of households are currently using tubewell water which was 58% before. Filter was abandoned for high cost and complicated maintenance. The use of RWH and PSF was not found user friendly and ensuring year round water quality is a big challenge. Arsenic-safe tubewell was found as a widely accepted option mainly because of its easy operation and availability of water, good water quality and negligible maintenance. This study validated tubewell as the most feasible drinking water supply option and this evaluation holds significance for planning water supply projects, improving mitigation policy as well as developing awareness among users.

2007

Journal of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Development, 2014

A nationwide survey of 125,000 public rural waterpoints installed between 2007 and 2012 reveals major changes from the pre-arsenic era and expectations of the 2004 Arsenic Policy. Shallow tubewell (STW) use has greatly reduced and deep tubewells (DTWs) now dominate in arsenic-affected areas. Arsenic contamination is greatly reduced from baseline; 3.6% of DTWs, 7.6% of STWs and 5.5% of ringwells (RWs) exceed 50 μg/L. In some sub-districts contamination is worse than previously recognised. Faecal contamination affects 48% of devices, and is most severe in RWs and surface water devices (SWDs). Manganese exceeds 0.4 mg/L in 12% of DTWs, 51% of STWs and 40% of RWs. Iron exceeds 1 mg/L in 48% of devices. Sustained operation ranges from 91% in DTWs, 84% in STWs, 68% in RWs to 47–94% in SWDs. Falling water levels in shallow and deep aquifers require replacement of suction pumps. Addressing aesthetic, water quality and level issues will require major investment in piped water systems with Fe...