Description
Taylor & Francis Ltd The Taiwan Crisis A Showcase Of The Global Arsenic Problem 2010 Edition by Jiin-Shuh Jean, Jochen Bundschuh
In the 1950s, the residents of the southwestern coastal areas of Taiwan suffered greatly from Blackfoot disease (BFD) due to the consumption of arsenic-contaminated groundwater. Groundwater with high levels of arsenic in southwestern and northeastern Taiwan received much attention. After arsenic-safe tap water was utilized for drinking instead of groundwater in the 1970s, BFD cases decreased greatly. After 1990, no new BFD cases were reported, and as a consequence, BFD problems disregarded. However, arsenic is still present in the groundwater.This book will improve the knowledge and understanding of the occurrence and genesis of arsenic-rich groundwaters in Taiwan. It deals with constraints on the mobility of arsenic in groundwater, its uptake from soil and water by plants, arsenic-propagation through the food chain, human health impacts, and arsenic-removal technologies. Taiwan case experiences are described in this book and can be applied worldwide.This book is a state-of-the-art overview of research on arsenic in Taiwan and is designed to:create interest in regions within Taiwan that are affected by the presence of arseniferous aquifers;draw attention from the international scientific community;increase awareness among researchers, administrators, policy makers, and company executives;improve the international cooperation on arsenic problems worldwide. Foreword by Dr. King-Ho WangAuthors prefaceAbout the authorsAcknowledgements1. Taiwan and the global arsenic problem 1.1 General introduction to the arsenic problem1.2 Arsenic: From history to Taiwan1.3 Arsenic: From Taiwan To the end of the 20th century1.4 Arsenic in the 21st century- Recognizing groundwater arsenic as a global problem1.5 Regulations of arsenic contents in drinking water and its impact on the exposed population1.6 Why was the "Taiwan signal" not immediately recognized worldwide?1.7 Why does arsenic continue to affect people worldwide?2. Geological controls of arsenic concentrations in ground- and surface waters-An overview of our worldwide state-of-the-art knowledge 2.1 Arsenic in the earths environments and introduction into ground- and surface-water resources2.2 Geogenic arsenic: Occurence and sources 2.3 Mechanisms of arsenic mobilization into aqueous environments: an overview2.4 Sulfide oxidation2.5 Arsenic input due to leaching in geothermal reservoirs; the role of geothermal fluids2.6 The role of Fe, Mn, and Al oxides and oxyhydroxides as sources and sinks for dissolved arsenic2.7 Adsorption processes and capacity of clay minerals2.8 Precipitation/dissolution and sorption processes of calcite2.9 Interactions between arsenic and humic substances3. History of blackfoot disease 3.1 Prologue: A mysterious disease 3.2 Clinical characteristics of blackfoot disease 3.3 Pathological findings of blackfoot disease3.4 Epidemiological characteristics of blackfoot disease4. Cause of blackfoot disease: Arsenic in artesian well water 4.1 Types of wells in blackfoot disease endemic area 4.2 Characteristics pf well water in blackfoot disease endemic area4.3 Arsenic levels in well water in Lanyang plain 4.4 Association between blackfoot disease and the artesian well water 4.5 Arsenic in drinking water: The cause of blackfoot disease4.6 Co-morbidity of unique arsenic-induced skin lesions and blackfoot disease4.7 Host and environmental co-factors for blackfoot disease 4.8 Arsenic in drinking water and circulatory disease other than blackfoot disease4.9 Arsenic in drinking water and prevalence of diabetis and hypertension4.10 Reduction in mortality of arsenic-induced diseases after implementation of of public water supply system in the endemic area of blackfoot disease5. Non-vascular health effects of arsenic in drinking water in Taiwan 5.1 Introduction5.2 Skin cancer5.3 Internal cancers5.4 Eye diseases5.5 Other health outcomes5.6 Summary and conclusions6. Arsenic sources, occurrences and mobility in surface water, groundwater and sediments6.1 Introduction6.2 Hydrogeology and sedimentology of aquifers6.3 Potential arsenic sources 6.4 Arsenic distributions and controls6.5 Arsenic in mud volcanoes and hot springs 6.6 Concluding remarks7. Arsenic in soils and plants: accumulation and bioavailability7.1 Accumulation and behavior of arsenic in soil 7.2 Bioaccumulation of arsenic in plants and crops8. Potential threat of the use of arsenic contaminated water in aquaculture8.1 Introduction8.2 Arsenic in aquacultural organisms8.3 Arsenic methylation capability8.4 Health risk assessment9. Current solutions to arsenic contaminated water9.1 Introduction9.2 Change of water source9.3 Water treatment processes for centralized systems9.4 Point of use and entry devices9.5 Case study in southwestern Taiwan9.6 Recommendations10. Future areas of study and tasks for the Taiwan arsenic problem10.1 Sources of arsenic and mobilization in groundwater10.2 Human impact through the food chain 10.3 Health effects of arsenic in drinking water, treatment, risk assessment and prevention10.4 Future treatment demands, including nano technology ReferencesSubject indexLocality index