The arsenic threat worsens

Abstract

Already a public health crisis, the problem of arsenic in water supplies in developing countries has become more serious with the discovery of arsenic-laced groundwater in Vietnam (see research article in this issue on pages 2621-2626). Kris Christen discusses what has been discovered, geochemical conditions leading to arsenic contamination, the lack of reliable field test kits needed to monitor for arsenic in water supplies, and efforts to protect public health.