Author Description

In the 1950s, the residents of the southwestern coastal areas of Taiwan suffered greatly from Blackfoot disease (BFD) due to the consumption of arsenic-contaminated groundwater. Groundwater with high levels of arsenic in southwestern and northeastern Taiwan received much attention. After arsenic-safe tap water was utilized for drinking instead of groundwater, the incidence of BFD decreased significantly. However, the long-term health effects of arsenic exposure on the residents of these areas still need to be addressed. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the arsenic problem in Taiwan, including the history of BFD, the geological and geochemical characteristics of arsenic-contaminated groundwater, the health effects of arsenic exposure, and the mitigation strategies that have been implemented.