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Arsenic Contamination of Drinking Water - A Global Perspective
Frost & Sullivan, Aug 2007, Pages: 51
This Frost & Sullivan research titled Arsenic Contamination of Drinking Water – A Global Perspective provides an overview of the current global crisis, including an analysis of the regulatory compliance issues, an assessment of emerging technologies, and a discussion of prevailing market forces and opportunities. In this research service, Frost & Sullivan's expert analysts thoroughly examine available and emerging arsenic detection and removal technologies.
This analysis is available through our Environmental Growth Partnership Service program. With this program, clients receive industry-leading market research such as this, along with technical and econometric data and many interactive features including Analyst Inquiry Time and Client Councils
Detection Methodologies a Top Priority in Countries Dealing with Arsenic Contamination
Arsenic contamination of drinking water is a worldwide concern with potentially disastrous effects on the long-term health of large populations. Statistics reveal that drinking water in many regions of the world contains arsenic concentrations exceeding 100 parts per billion (ppb). Identifying alternative drinking water supplies is perhaps the simplest and most cost-effective solution to this problem, but in the absence of safer water sources, removal technologies to reduce arsenic concentration to the prevailing regulatory standard are usually the next option. 'However, this approach is not always viable in developing countries that often lack the resources to obtain and maintain such treatment systems,' observes the analyst of this research service. 'Using alternative drinking water sources is usually the preferred option in developing nations, but in places where such sources cannot be easily identified – as in the case of Bangladesh – low-cost, point-of-use (POU) technologies are being tested for implementation feasibility.'
Enhancing detection test methods has become a critical priority for countries affected by arsenic contamination. Currently, two types of test methods prevail in developing countries – field test kits and laboratory analysis – and these have been used in different capacities. Many Asian countries have used a combination of both methods, while some others have used only laboratory analysis. In India, for example, the state of West Bengal performs testing via spectrometer to ensure an accurate classification of the region’s well water systems. The potential for misclassification of well water status is higher in field testing than in laboratory analysis, which accounts for the choice of the latter approach in some countries. Misclassification can have undesirable repercussions in terms of either loss of water supply or unwanted exposure to high levels of arsenic and is a significant drawback of field testing.
However, laboratory analysis is also plagued by problems such as slow turnaround time for results, improper sampling methods, and lack of funds, which explains why field test kits are still used so extensively.
Regulatory Changes to Positively Impact Demand for POU Water Treatment Devices
Arsenic contamination of drinking water is a global problem of such magnitude that it is generating tremendous business opportunities for companies that manufacture and market POU water treatment devices. Since cost is a major factor restraining the majority of affected communities from installing centralized arsenic treatment systems, POU devices offer a feasible solution as they are relatively less expensive. In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reduced the acceptable level of arsenic in drinking water from 50 ppb to 10 ppb in January 2006, but more than 2,000 water treatment systems are yet to attain regulatory compliance even after this change came into effect. This is probably because there are no cost-effective solutions available for smaller groundwater systems that serve a population of less than 3,300. 'However, POU devices have been approved by the EPA as Small System Compliance Technology, provided they are owned and maintained by the local public utility,' says the analyst. 'This provides market participants in the POU segment with a unique opportunity to achieve revenue growth.'
Emerging technologies will continue to push the worldwide mitigation of arsenic in drinking water. Due to the sheer size of mitigation issues in countries such as Bangladesh, emerging treatment methods for arsenic will continue to be developed keeping in mind treatment efficiency and overall costs. Various examples of mitigation nanotechnology are likely to become the norm in the near future. These include carbon nanotube membranes, nanomesh, nanofibrous alumina filters, and nanofiltration membranes and devices, among others.
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