JBS Vol 08. Num 2. 2006 - ARSENIC MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN BANGLADESH: EVIDENCE FROM THE LITERATURE

Bangladesh is the worst affected country in the world in terms of global arsenic contamination in groundwater. Contaminated drinking water has posed severe health problems in rural Bangladesh. The provision of arsenic free water is urgently needed now to mitigate arsenic toxicity and to protect health. This paper provides an overview on arsenic mitigation technologies developed and practiced in Bangladesh. Alternative sources of safe water and treatment of arsenic contaminated groundwater are also presented. It discusses the conventional technologies for arsenic removal including some technologies that utilize indigenous materials for arsenic removal. It also discusses the best available techniques and offers cost comparisons among these techniques. Technical and economic viability, and indigenous capacity, in association with ultra sensitivity, is the essence of successful implementation of arsenic mitigation technology. For all technologies, hygiene education is essential to risk management. Importantly, community-based management is needed to operate and maintain the water sources efficiently in rural Bangladesh.