Analysis of geographic distribution of arsenic in drinking water of residents in Hubei Province / 中华地方病学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To make clear the arsenic distribution in drinking water sources in Hubei Province, make provincial distribution map of high-arsenic water and provide scientific basis for formulating refined measures to prevent and control arsenic poisoning of drinking water type in Hubei Province. Methods In 103 counties of Hubei Province, residents were sampled according to different water supplies (centralized water supply, small centralized water supply in rural areas and decentralized water supply). One water sample was collected from source water and tap water in centralized water supply system and at least 3 samples were collected from decentralized water supply system in a village. Water iodine content was tested using atomic fluorescence spectrometry and a distribution map of high-arsenic water at county level was drawn using ArcGIS 10.2. Results Totally 38 292 water samples were collected. The water-arsenic-concentration median was less than 1.00 μg/L. The high-arsenic water detection rate in urban centralized water supply was 3.7%(80/2 176);which were all 0.1%(4/4 304,30/31 812) in small centralized water supply in rural areas and decentralized water supply. The high-arsenic water sources from centralized water supplies were distributed centrally in the south, the central and the east of Hubei Province and those from dispersed water supplies were distributed dispersedly in the south, the central and the east of Hubei Province.Conclusions There are still some dispersed water supplies with very high arsenic concentration in Hubei Province, which should be included to change the water area as soon as possible. Moreover, high arsenic water samples are found from centralized water supplies, which means the water treatment process should be upgraded or water resources should be changed.