Arsenic and manganese in tube well waters of Prey Veng and Kandal Provinces, Cambodia

Twenty-eight tube well water samples were collected in February, 2006, from households in the Cambodian provinces of Prey Veng and Kandal. Concentrations of total As in both provinces ranged from not detectable (ND) up to about 900 μg/L, with about 54% of all the samples collected exceeding the WHO drinking water guide value of 10 μg/L. In addition, about 32% of all samples contained concentrations of Mn exceeding the WHO drinking water guide value of 400 μg/L. It is interesting to note that more than half (about 56%) of tube wells with Mn over 400 μg/L had the non-detectable As. Barium, Sr and Fe were also detected in most of tube well samples, which were typically circum-neutral and reducing. Arsenic speciation was dominated (80%) by dissolved inorganic As(III). The occurrence and composition of the well waters is consistent with the As being mobilized from aquifer sediments by natural processes in a highly reducing environment. The highest estimated cumulative As intake for individuals using the sampled well waters as drinking water is estimated to be around 400 mg As/a – this is comparable to intakes that have resulted elsewhere in the world in serious As-related illnesses and highlights the possibility that such adverse health impacts may arise in Cambodia unless appropriate remedial measures are taken.