Many shallow tube wells in Jhapa, Sunsari, Morang, Rutahat, Nawalparasi, Bara, Parsa and Bardiya districts contain arsenic between 40 and 3500 ppb. [1] These values are 4 to 350 times higher than the WHO suggested guideline values of 10 ppb. Considering this problem, since year 2002, LEADERS Nepal initiated blanket arsenic testing in Nepal with dissemination of test results, distribution of bio-sand filters in arsenic affected households and documentation of health outcomes related to arsenic poisonings in four arsenic affected districts: Saptari, Nawalprasi, Rupandehi and Kapilbastu.
[1] ENPHO, Ground water arsenic contamination in terai tube wells, 2001, Kathmandu.