Numerous recent research studies and publications have established that arsenic contamination of ground water is geological, therefore arsenic removal cannot be done at the source, but its remedies must be found and addressed at the water delivery stage.
In this context, Dr Abul Hussam's SONO water filtering device is an important practical solution in making ground water safe to drink. It will have obvious preventative health and environmental benefits, hopefully for the millions of people in Third World countries. There is also an added benefit in its simple, accessible and cost effective utilisation in rural areas of our region. I believe it is increasingly being made available in Bangladesh by local NGOs, and there is potential for its wider use in other countries as recently reported in the daily Janakantha.
In fact, indigenous method of treating arsenic contaminated ground water (deep tube well water) with sand has long been used in rural areas of Bangladesh, with increased rainwater harvesting and use. However, with improvement in literacy, and local NGO development activities, there is growing awareness about safety of drinking water among rural people, and scientifically proven filtering system or device is always preferred, and must therefore be encouraged.
Apart from arsenic in water, Dr Hussam's filtering device is reportedly also removes other impurities and it is understood to be a better tool to treat arsenic contamination. As it adds to the long fight against arsenic poisoning and making water safe to drink in rural areas, we must therefore congratulate and thank Dr Hussam and his research team for this valuable contribution. We hope that the coordinated effort will continue in private, public, and academic sectors to fully alleviate the curse of arsenic contamination in ground water from Bangladesh and other affected countries throughout the world.
Helal Morshedi
Sydney, 20 November 2007
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Home Page Published on: 20-Nov-2007 
