Recent developments on arsenic: contamination and remediation.

Abstract

Abstract Arsenic (As) is widely known for its adverse effects on human health, affecting millions of people around the world. In Asia the consumption of groundwater (through wells) in an attempt to replace polluted surface water supplies has resulted in widespread As poisoning. Both, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have established the As level for drinking water at 10 µg L P -1 . Unfortunately, some developing countries still use the old standard of 50 µg L P -1 , primarily because of economical factors that prevent access to new technologies. Given the importance of As as a global environmental toxicant to bioorganisms, we present a brief review about its origin, anthropogenic sources, chemistry, and concentration in soils and waters around the world. The review also discusses the latest analytical methodologies for As determination and some removal mechanisms – with emphasis on phytoremediation. Origin of Arsenic in soil