An updated assessment of arsenic exposure and mitigation effectiveness in Bangladesh’s household water supplies

Mitigation efforts have reduced arsenic exposure in Bangladesh since contamination was recognized in the 1990s. However, progress has been only partial. Our analysis of 2019 data indicates that 15.0 million people remain exposed to drinking water exceeding the national standard (50 µg/l) and 24.3 million exceed the World Health Organization guideline (10 µg/l). Mitigation has been constrained by socioeconomic and institutional factors. Further reductions in exposure could be achieved through strengthened public education, installation of additional arsenic-safe wells near households, expanded and routine tubewell testing, and accelerated implementation of universal, safely managed piped water supply systems across affected regions.