Development of arsenic testing field kit--a tool for rapid on-site screening of arsenic contaminated water sources.

Recognizing the enormity and severity of the problem of arsenic poisoning in ground water, the capabilities of commercially available arsenic detection field kits were critically evaluated. In the light of findings of the evaluation of these kits, their merits and limitations; a simple, efficient, prudent, userfriendly, indigenous field kit has been developed. The kit can be used for rapid on-site screening of arsenic contaminated water sources and is capable of detecting arsenic concentration as low as 0.01 mg L(-1), the guideline value for arsenic set by the WHO. The kit has been subjected to extensive laboratory and field testing. The details of development of the kit and its salient features are presented in the paper.