Hydrochemical controls on arsenic contamination and its health risks in the Comarca Lagunera region (Mexico): Implications of the scientific evidence for public health policy

• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159347
• Publication Date: 2022-10-11T00:54:59Z
• Authors: Jürgen Mahlknecht; Ismael Aguilar-Ba...; Paulina Farias; Peter S.K. Knappett; Juan Antonio Torr...; Jaime Hoogesteger; René H. Lara; Ricardo A. Ramíre...; Abrahan Mora
• Keywords: 2. Zero hunger; Public policy; Drinking Water; Health Policy; 15. Life on land; 6. Clean water; Arsenic; 3. Good health; Health risk assessment; 03 medical and health sciences; Comarca Lagunera region; 0302 clinical medicine; 13. Climate action; 11. Sustainability; Humans; Child; Aquifer overexploitation; Mexico; Groundwater; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Environmental Monitoring

Nearly half of the world's urban population depends on aquifers for drinking water. These are increasingly vulnerable to pollution and overexploitation. Besides anthropogenic sources, pollutants such as arsenic (As) also geogenic their concentrations have, in some cases, been increased by groundwater pumping. Almost 40 % Mexico's relies water purposes; much semi-arid arid central northern Mexico is contaminated As. agricultural regions where irrigation primarily provided from intenstive pumping leading long-standing declines table. The focus this study main aquifer within Comarca Lagunera region Northern Mexico. Although scientific evidence demonstrates that health effects associated with long-term exposure elevated As concentrations, knowledge has not yielded effective development public policy. A multidisciplinary approach – including evaluation geochemistry, human risk policy - was used provide a current account these links. dissolved measured exceeded corresponding World Health Organization guideline 90 sampled wells; water, estimated probability presenting non-carcinogenic >90 %, lifetime developing cancer ranged 0.5 61 cases 10,000 children 0.2 33 adults. results suggest insufficient responses due complex dysfunctional governance framework compromises economic, social environmental sustainability region. findings may valuable other similar settings need design enact better informed, science-based policies recognize value more sustainable use resources healthier population.