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The Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition
icddr,b
ISSN: 1606-0997
EISSN: 1606-0997
Vol. 24, No. 3, 2006, pp. 346-355
Bioline Code: hn06043
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge

The Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition, Vol. 24, No. 3, 2006, pp. 346-355

 en Risk Assessment of Arsenic Mitigation Options in Bangladesh
Howard, Guy; Ahmed, M. Feroze; Shamsuddin, Abu Jafar; Mahmud, Shamsul Gafur & Deere, Daniel

Abstract

The provision of alternative water sources is the principal arsenic mitigation strategy in Bangladesh, but can lead to risk substitution. A study of arsenic mitigation options was undertaken to assess water quality and sanitary condition and to estimate the burden of disease associated with each technology in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Dugwells and pond-sand filters showed heavy microbial contamination in both dry and monsoon seasons, and the estimated burden of disease was high. Rain­water was of good quality in the monsoon but deteriorated in the dry season. Deep tubewells showed microbial contamination in the monsoon but not in the dry season and was the only technology to approach the World Health Organization's reference level of risk of 10-6 DALYs. A few dugwells and one pond-sand filter showed arsenic in excess of 50 μg/L. The findings suggest that deep tubewells and rainwater harvesting provide safer water than dugwells and pond-sand filters and should be the preferred options.

Keywords
Arsenic; Arsenic mitigation: Water pollution; Water supply; Water quality; Risk assessment; DALYs; Pathogens; Technology choice: Bangladesh

 
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