Enhancing Arsenic Removal from Bangladesh Groundwater by Controlled Iron Oxidation in Filters

Abstract

Groundwater arsenic (As) contamination is a severe drinking water quality problem and threatens human health in Bangladesh and other countries. Chronic exposure to As-contaminated drinking water has resulted in tens of millions of people suffering from skin lesions, hyperkeratosis, melanosis, skin cancer, and cancer of internal organs. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that As concentrations in drinking water should not be more than 10 μg/L. However, according to Bangladesh Drinking Water Standard (BDWS), the recommended value for As in drinking water is 50 μg/L. Nevertheless, groundwater in an extended area of Bangladesh contains As concentrations higher than those recommended values, and sometimes, it even exceeds 1500 μgAs/L. Various treatment technologies, including adsorption, chemical precipitation, ion exchange, membrane filtration, nanofiltration (NF), and reverse osmosis (RO) have been studied to remove As from water. However, these options are typically energy-intensive and/or consume chemicals that make the treatment methods expensive. In addition, commonly available treatment systems are complicated to operate and maintain, needing regular parts’ replacement and aftermarket services, and skilled personnel who may not be locally available. Consequently, these technologies are not sustainable on the long run in vulnerable communities. Therefore, there is a need for simple, economic, and energy-efficient alternatives, utilizing locally available materials and crafts without the need for chemical dosing...