A recent investigation revealed by the Water and Health magazine has sparked concern as more than 17 million people in Argentina are exposed to arsenic-contaminated water.
This serious health issue is compared by Alejandro Oliva, the study’s lead scientist, to an “epidemic”.
### Impact of Arsenic on Health
Studies have shown the connection between arsenic and serious diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer’s. Based on information from 12 provinces, a map was created that could serve as a warning for the population and as a basis for public policies aimed at curbing its impact.
“With this issue, everyone looks the other way. We have already discussed this with different provincial ministries and the only thing that concerns them is that this does not come to light, because they should provide answers,” said Oliva, head of the Environmental and Health Program at the National University of Rosario (UNR).
Arsenic is a naturally occurring contaminant that comes from rock erosion in aquifers, but it is also reported due to human activities such as mining and pesticide use. Scientists from the UNR gathered available information and established a map of the level of water contamination in Argentina.
### Levels of Contamination
The study used data published by 12 provinces representing 70% of Argentina’s population.
According to WHO standards, the limit is 10 micrograms per liter of drinking water, and it was found that more than 17 million individuals were exposed to the contaminant. It is worth noting that another 12 jurisdictions do not have information on this matter.
### Discussion of Permitted Limits
Argentina has participated in international discussions to establish the arsenic limit in drinking water.
While WHO sets a limit of 10 micrograms per liter, the Argentine Food Code allows up to 50 micrograms per liter, increasing the possibility of a larger proportion of the population being affected.
### Implementation Issues
Two reasons prevented Argentina from adhering to the international limit: the high cost and energy consumption of reverse osmosis to remove arsenic, and the lack of clear solutions on what to do with the removed arsenic.
In the past, attempts to map contamination failed to accurately reflect reality due to isolated values without specifying the population involved.
However, the new map developed by the UNR estimates that the exposed population figure is four times higher than previous studies, reaching approximately 17 million inhabitants.
### History of the Problem
The exposure of the Argentine population to arsenic has a history of over 100 years. Initially detected due to its impact on the skin, the advancement of diagnostic tools has expanded the range of effects, including different types of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, and congenital anomalies.
In 2023, ecological studies in Argentina correlated arsenic levels with congenital anomalies and cancer, covering the central region of the country. The new findings will be published in Water and Health and are part of the Interuniversity Network on Environment and Health of the Central Region (Redinasce).
### Available Solutions
There are simpler and less costly arsenic removal techniques than those used in the past. These can be incorporated as modules into the primary water treatment process, and there are also effective household developments. However, political will is needed to implement these changes.
“There are people who have designed cheaper technologies for arsenic soil precipitation, with low energy consumption, innovative and effective. However, we need political will for things to change, otherwise we are in trouble,” emphasizes Oliva.
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