In this population-based study the researchers aimed to elucidate the effect of nutrition on As methylation among women in Matlab, Bangladesh, where people are chronically exposed to iAs via drinking water. March 2008

Heavy metals in the atmosphere may travel over large distances before being re-deposited on land. One effective way of monitoring how deposition changes with time is to measure concentrations in moss. A bio-monitoring network coordinated by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) provides data on the concentration of 10 heavy metals in mosses from about 7,000 sites across Europe. March 2008

Inorganic arsenic (iAs), a toxic metalloid, affects millions of people worldwide, mainly from drinking contaminated water. Arsenic is a human carcinogen that targets skin, lung, bladder, and possibly other sites. iAs and its methylated metabolites readily cross the placenta and reach the fetus [National Research Council (NRC) 1999], producing effects ranging from developmental toxicity to cancer (NRC 1999; Waalkes et al. 2007). Thus, early-life As exposures are drawing escalating health concerns. (Editorial) March 2008

Uttar Pradesh, India's largest state, is blessed with rivers. But what's the use? Each and every river and canal is filled with poisonous muck which seeps into groundwater. The Janhit Foundation in Meerut has carried out several studies which show that Uttar Pradesh's groundwater is loaded with dangerous carcinogenic chemicals. Towns and villages are becoming infamous for particular chemicals.

Natural adsorbent, laterite soil was selected and found to be an effective adsorbent for arsenic removal from arsenic bearing drinking water. The real arsenic bearing groundwater was collected from Nivedita Palli, 24 Paraganas, one of the arsenic affected areas of West Bengal.

In this review paper interaction of arsenic with iron hydroxide and effects of anions, such as silicate, phosphate and bicarbonate on arsenic adsorption by iron hydroxides, are discussed. Arsenic is strongly adsorbed on the surface sites of iron hydroxides through the formation of inner-sphere complexes.

Studies on the presence of alpha emitting nuclides in the environment assume importance since they are found to be carcinogenic. Measurement of radioactivity in arsenic contaminated drinking water has already been reported. To perform a detail study the researchers have undertaken a programme to measure radioactivity in drinking water and soil samples in three different places of North 24 Parganas in West Bengal, India, where arsenic contamination is severe.