A total of more than a quarter of drinking water sources in the Red River delta in Vietnam densely populated contain unsafe levels of arsenic, according to some researchers. Excess content of arsenic can cause cancer, neurological problems, and high blood pressure, added the researchers.
In a report published in the journal Nature Continuation of the National Academy of Sciences, they also say, by 44 percent in the delta's water source contains high levels of manganese that exceed the limits prescribed by the World Health Organization (WHO).
In a report published in the journal Nature Continuation of the National Academy of Sciences, they also say, by 44 percent in the delta's water source contains high levels of manganese that exceed the limits prescribed by the World Health Organization (WHO).
"About 7 million people have a severe risk of arsenic poisoning. This is very worrisome because the ground water is the main source of drinking water along the delta," said lead author Michael Berg.
Arsenic contamination in ground water occurs in many countries, like Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, Chile, China, Hungary, India, Peru, Thailand, and the United States.
While the substance of manganese can inhibit a child's growth.
Delta rivers inhabited by 16.6 million people pass through as many as eight provinces and two cities of government, namely the capital of Hanoi and Hai Phong port.
As many as 11 million people lack access to public water supplies and rely on other sources such as wells drilled.
Some experts have long known that ground water in some areas of Southeast Asia contain unsafe levels of arsenic due to the influence of natural chemicals, but their location was never known for certain.
A senior scientist from the Institute for Water Science and Technology, Swiss Federal, Berg, and colleagues collected samples from 512 private wells along the delta and check the content of arsenic, manganese, and other toxins such as selenium and barium.
"65 percent of groundwater sources in the Red River delta contain natural toxic compounds at levels exceeding the WHO safety standards," said Berg in his report.
"Elements of the most threatening health is arsenic, which is 27 percent water source is above the WHO standard and manganese by 44 percent," added Berg.
Berg and his colleagues believe that the extensive contamination of ground water caused by the decision in a long time in the delta region.
"Activities that have made the arsenic sucked down and pollute the city's water reserves," they said in their report, by suggesting a number of households using sand filters and other means of water purification.
According to WHO, water containing more than 10 micrograms of arsenic per liter is not safe for consumption and severe poisoning will affect the skin, hair, and nails that make skin pigment, high blood pressure, and neurologic failure or stroke.
In addition, it can also cause cancer of the skin, lung, bladder or kidney.
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