Detection of arsenic-contaminated tap water with a rapid test kit

On January 8, a group of scientists from the Department of Spectral Analysis, Institute of Geology (Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology) used a quick test kit to test clean water in some areas in Hanoi. The results show that many places where arsenic is contaminated exceed the permissible standards.

Testing of clean water at the tap of a household in Quynh Mai collective area with a quick test kit results in 1.5 times as much as the exposure of arsenic. At the house of three Phap Van apartments, 15/51 of Ngoc Hoi street, house No. 383 Bach Mai, all results of arsenic contamination exceed 1.5 times permitted.

At the building CT1 - D1 - My Dinh 2, the results of arsenic in the water exceeded the standard twice. Test results at a household in A2 building Khuong Thuong collective gave three times higher levels of arsenic contaminated water .

Rapid test kit for arsenic-contaminated water.Photo: Phuong Nguyen

The rapid test kit was researched by the Department of Analytical - Spectroscopy (Geological Institute) recently. With this kit, it is possible to determine the arsenic content in water from 0.005mg / l to 1.5mg / l in just 7 minutes. The kit includes a reaction vial, a bottle of arsenic indicator paper, a vial of reducing powder, a bottle of As-1 solution and a gripper.

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Thuong, a member of the research team, the user just needs to put the instruction paper into the cap of the reaction vial, pour the water, solution and reducing powder into the reaction vial as instructed and then tightly close the cap. If the indicator paper turns yellow, it knows the water has arsenic.

Detection of arsenic-contaminated water at Mr. Tran Cao Vang's house in Quynh Mai dormitory, Hanoi.
Photo: Phuong Nguyen

Currently, the research team has completed this product and commercialized the product with the price of 220,000 VND per set (25 times can be used). The results of cross-checking between domestic laboratories show that the accuracy of the above kit is equivalent to that of foreign firms such as Merck (Germany) and Hach (USA), but the price is only equals 1/3.

Earlier, there were many warnings about arsenic-contaminated water sources. However, the treatment of clean water and still being infected is a must. Therefore, scientists recommended, water plants should check water supply at the factory to take measures to handle. As for the people, they should also check the quality of their water by self-checking or going to research labs to determine and have solutions for their water sources.