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Updated: May 8, 2026
08:21
Determination of Inorganic Arsenic in a Wide Range of Food Matrices using Hydride Generation - Atomic Absorption Spectrometry.
Published on: September 1, 2017
Groundwater arsenic contamination throughout China.
Luis Rodríguez-Lado1, Guifan Sun, Michael Berg
1Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|August 24, 2013
Summary
Millions in China face health risks from arsenic-contaminated groundwater. A new statistical model identifies unsafe areas, estimating 19.6 million people are at risk from geogenic arsenic exposure.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Public Health
- Geochemistry
Background:
- Arsenic-contaminated groundwater poses a significant health threat in China, recognized since the 1960s.
- Millions of groundwater wells require testing to fully assess the scope of arsenic contamination.
- Geogenic arsenic contamination is a widespread issue impacting drinking water sources.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a statistical risk model for classifying safe and unsafe areas regarding geogenic arsenic contamination in China.
- To estimate the population at risk from consuming arsenic-contaminated groundwater.
- To highlight the potential magnitude of the arsenic health threat in China.
Main Methods:
- Development of a statistical risk model.
- Classification of safe and unsafe areas based on arsenic contamination.
- Utilized the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline and Chinese standard of 10 micrograms per liter for drinking water.
Main Results:
- An estimated 19.6 million people are at risk from arsenic-contaminated groundwater consumption.
- The risk model identified numerous arsenic-affected areas across China.
- The study highlights the substantial potential magnitude of this public health issue.
Conclusions:
- The statistical risk model effectively identifies areas affected by geogenic arsenic contamination.
- Significant population is at risk, underscoring the need for widespread well testing and mitigation strategies.
- Further field measurements are recommended to validate the model's findings and refine risk assessments.
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