Effects of Arsenic Toxicity on the Environment and Its Remediation Techniques: A Review

Abstract

Contamination of arsenic (As) in water, especially groundwater, has been recognized as a major problem across the world. The presence of arsenic in groundwater has become a global problem in the past decades. Health risks have also been reported for many years. Different areas of the world are affected by arsenic contamination of groundwater, the largest population at risk in Bangladesh, followed by West Bengal in India. Arsenic concentrations in drinking water cause severe health effects on human, more than 150 million people worldwide. The current drinking water standard regulation has become strict and requires a reduction in arsenic content. Therefore, the treatment of arsenic contaminants can be the only effective option to reduce health risks. This review paper briefly describes arsenic sources, arsenic chemistry, arsenic contamination in groundwater, its impact on human health and many conventional as well as advanced techniques that are used to remove arsenic from water.