Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
h e toxicity of arsenic varies widely according to its oxidation state;
As(III) is far more toxic than As(V).
3.1.2
World Health Organization Guidelines
h e World Health Organization (WHO) has predicted that 200,000-
270,000 people will die of cancer at er drinking arsenic-contaminated water
in Bangladesh [10]. h e maximum permissible limit for arsenic in the water
of various countries according to WHO guidlines is given in Table 3.1.
3.1.3 Toxicity
Arsenic occurrence in the environment, its toxicity, health hazards, and
the techniques used for speciation analysis are well known and have been
reviewed. Long-term [24, 25] drinking water exposure causes skin, lung,
bladder, and kidney cancer as well as pigmentation changes, skin thick-
ening (hyperkeratosis) neurological disorders, muscular weakness, loss of
appetite, and nausea [26-28]. h is dif ers from acute poisoning, which
Table 3.1
Maximum permissible limit for arsenic
in the water of
dif erent countries.
Country
Maximum Permissible
Limit (μg/L)
Ref.
Argentina
50
[11]
Bangladesh
50
[12, 13]
China
50
[14]
Chile
50
[15]
India
10
[16]
Japan
-
[17]
Mexico
-
[18]
Nepal
50
[19]
New Zealand
10
[20]
Taiwan
10
[21]
USA
10
[22]
Vietnam
10
[23]
Search WWH ::
Custom Search