Arsenic in Latin America

M.I. LITTER

Simposio; 5th International Symposium on Water Resource and Environmental Management (WREM 2022); 2023

A brief overview of the presence of arsenic (As) in waters in Latin America (LA) is presented. Aspects of As occurrence, effects of As on human health, regulations regarding the maximum allowable concentration of As in drinking water, analytical techniques for As determination, and conventional/emerging technologies for As removal will be developed. The presence of As has been identified in many LA countries in a range of concentrations, originating from various sources, mainly natural. The main analytical techniques available in LA laboratories are described. Pathologies derived from the chronic consumption of As, and the effects of the different As chemical forms are detailed. A list of conventional and emerging technologies for As removal in LA waters for human consumption, for large, medium, and small rural and periurban populations is reported. Conclusions and recommendations to face the problem are included.