Arsenic contamination in drinking water in South Asia and its public health impacts including implications for leishmaniasis

The contamination of arsenic in surface water and groundwater across different regions of the world is caused due to both natural and anthropogenic origins. Arsenic in drinking water sources causes several adverse effects in humans. Worldwide, more than 230 million people are exposed to arsenic, including approximately 180 million people in South Asia. The contamination of groundwater has been identified as a significant threat to the well-being of individuals. Prolonged and excessive consumption of inorganic arsenic in drinking water has resulted in gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory effects, arsenicosis, and immunotoxicity. The toxic effects of arsenic contamination may ultimately lead to the manifestation of fatal illnesses such as skin and various types of cancers. Moreover, chronic arsenic exposure in visceral leishmaniasis-endemic regions may contribute to altered immune responses and reduced treatment effectiveness in affected patients. The high health risk of arsenic contamination highlights the urgent need to minimize arsenic contamination from drinking water sources. In this review, the authors summarize the major sources of arsenic contamination in water, health impacts and its remediation methods.