Spatial and Temporal Variations of Groundwater Arsenic in South and Southeast Asia

Arsenic in Asia

Millions of humans in South and Southeast Asia are exposed to potentially dangerous levels of the carcinogen arsenic via their drinking water every day. Although high arsenic levels are a known problem, a growing demand for drinking water drives the continued construction of new groundwater wells in these regions. Fendorf et al. (p. 1123 ) review chemical and hydrological factors controlling the release of arsenic in groundwater in South and Southeast Asia, which include the distribution of arsenic in groundwater aquifers used for drinking water and irrigation. Despite incomplete sampling and characterization of these factors across these regions, several key directions for improvements to water quality are presented.