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The world arsenic Catastrophe: What should we do?

The world arsenic Catastrophe: What should we do?. Lecture at University of British Columbia 7.00 pm, Monday October 24th 2005 comments by Richard Wilson Mallinckrodt Research Professor of Physics Harvard University http://arsenic.ws

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The world arsenic Catastrophe: What should we do?

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  1. The world arsenic Catastrophe:What should we do? Lecture at University of British Columbia 7.00 pm, Monday October 24th 2005 comments by Richard Wilson Mallinckrodt Research Professor of Physics Harvard University http://arsenic.ws http://phys4.harvard.edu/~wilson/arsenic_project_introduction.html

  2. 30,000,000 exposed in Bangladeshabove US EPA standardA catastrophe that makes Chernobyl look like a Sunday School picnic!others in: West BenglalNepalThailandVietnamPakistanHow do we help Bangaldesh?

  3. Three simultaneous actionsHow does arsenic get there and can we predict avoidance measures?Harvey, MIT, McArthur, UCL, van Geen Columbia, F.Ahmed, BUETwhat does arsenic do?what are the risk factors? Diet (Betel nuts)? Selenium?Graziani, Columbia, Christiani, Harvard,Smith Berkeleya factor of 2 maybeHow can we help the people NOW?I will address the last

  4. Three vital items(1) Make sure measurements of arsenic and coliform bacteria are regular and accurate(2) work with local cummunity - they must make decisions and follow upand(3) get funds direct to villagers (avoid sticky fingers as much as possible)

  5. 1998 (DCH conference)urged immediate action:(1) Measure every wellGreen for OKRed for dont useEncourage well switching(2) Purify Water at House levelwith simple equipment(3) Encourage deep wells (below clay layer)(4) Encourage solutions that lead to the long term

  6. Labelling wells was only partially successful30% of people switched wells67% switched when a massive education campaign (Columbia-U.Dhaka)Some wells badly labeledPerhaps status of wells changed

  7. Uncritical use of Arsenic Removal Systems (ARS) has been a disaster.In West Bengal several hundred have been installed.80% are not functional.(6th report: Jadavpur University)John Macarthur (UCL) agrees.DCH tests also give only small reductionNOT a long term solution

  8. Deep wells are probably fed from the Himalaya further north.Badly installed wells could bring water down from upper aquifer.Again, measure and understand

  9. Deep wells (below the clay layer) look very goodIF they are grouted probably and probably not in Jessore (no clay layer)Cheapest solutionat minimum they should work for 10-20 years

  10. Professor Charles Harvey (MIT) thinksthe problem is pumping water from anoxic region.(Long shot)Possible Solution:Pump concentrated oxidants into the well. Works for a week; being tried with massive amounts of oxidants early next year

  11. Bangladesh Policy Use surface water when possibleWe must avoid bacteriaand know we have avoided bacteriaRainwater CollectionImproved (sanitary) DugwellsPond Sand FiltersRiver Sand FiltersKey is measurementCheapest when a large number supplied from one unit

  12. Dhaka Community Hospitalhas been installingSanitary surface “dugwells”Covered; WHO standards; measured regularlyMore recently pumped to tank and pipelineto give running waterVERY POPULAR

  13. Find out who knows what he is doing(Discuss on web, conferences, WHO etc)Get money direct to them Even if not economically the “best” doing nothing is expensive especially in good will.

  14. Why is it taking so long?Where is the bottleneck?Maybe the set up of village committeesIf so, go at once to tank and pipeline even though a bit more expensiveVillagers (especially women) like it

  15. The whole job can be done for ONLY $300 million!30 cruise missiles!

  16. Meanwhile please support the public foundation of your choiceDugwell Foundationhttp://www.dugwellfoundationusa.org(Meera Smith)Arsenic Foundationhttp://arsenicfoundation.com(Richard Wilson)

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