The Status of Arsenic Contamination in India

Abstract

The presence of arsenic (As) in the groundwater threatens human health throughout the world. The problem is severe in southeastern parts of Asia especially India, Bangladesh, China, etc. because the population density is very high in comparison to the other western countries. Groundwater, which is the main source of drinking water in these areas, has been found to have As as high as 300 ppb. Out of 29 states in India, reports of As contamination have emerged from 17 states. The number of As-affected districts and the number of people affected have grown ever since the initial reports of As contamination came to knowledge in the 1980s. The present situation of As contamination in India is of great concern. This chapter focuses on presenting the As contamination status of India and also elaborates the possible reasons for groundwater As contamination in the Indo-Gangetic region.