Arsenic contamination: Africa the missing gap

Abstract

Arsenic (As) is becoming a major challenge around the world due to its effect on human health. The World Health Organisation set the standard for As as 10 µg/L but most country do not adhere to this but rather still work with old standard of 50 µg/L. A lot of research has been carried out in different part of the world to determine the level of contamination. Europe has been able to reduce the effect of As to the extent that it is almost non existence. Other continents are also trying to reduce the effect of As and this can be seen from the number of research that has been reported. However, Africa is behind in this regard and not much data can be obtained on As pollution or contamination. There is therefore a need for a thorough monitoring of As in Africa so as to have a true picture of the level of As contamination in Africa.