Global arsenic dilemma and sustainability

Abstract

Arsenic (As) is one of the most prolific natural contaminants in water resources, and hence, it has been recognized as an emerging global problem. Arsenic exposure through food exports and imports, such as As-contaminated rice and cereal-based baby food, is a potential risk worldwide. However, ensuring As-safe drinking water and food for the globe is still not stated explicitly as a right neither in the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) nor the global UNESCO priorities. Despite these omissions, addressing As contamination is crucial to ensure and achieve many of the declared human rights, SDGs, and global UNESCO priorities. An international platform for sharing knowledge, experience, and resources through an integrated global network of scientists, professionals, and early career researchers on multidisciplinary aspects of As research can act as an umbrella covering the activities of UN, UNESCO, and other UN organizations. This can deal with the mitigation of As contamination, thus contributing to global economic development and human health. This article provides a perspective on the global As problem for sustainable As mitigation on a global scale by 2030.

Keywords: Arsenic; Drinking water; Human rights; Sustainable development goals; UNESCO.