Portable sensor offers low-cost arsenic detection for safer drinking water

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jodhpur have developed a new low-cost mobile tool to detect arsenic contamination in water sources, addressing a critical threat to human health and the environment.

Published in Nanotechnology, the new tool offers a low-cost, onsite solution for monitoring water quality, especially useful in low-income regions where access to safe drinking water is a major challenge. The sensor is the first to provide on-site, accurate and repeatable results without the need for complex lab equipment or skilled labor.

Arsenic contamination in water is a serious health hazard, causing illnesses like skin cancer and other health issues even at very low levels. It is estimated that nearly 43,000 deaths annually are attributable to chronic arsenic exposure.

Traditional methods for detecting arsenic in water, such as spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques, are highly sensitive but often require expensive, complex equipment and skilled labor. These methods are not practical for widespread, real-time monitoring, especially in low-income regions where the need is greatest.

The new detection tool uses advanced technology to detect arsenic ions in water quickly and at extremely low concentrations. The sensor can measure arsenic levels as low as 0.90 parts per billion (ppb) with a quick response time of just 3.2 seconds.

Mahesh Kumar, lead author of the paper says, “We’ve designed the sensor with usability in mind, ensuring that even people in remote areas can benefit from it. By connecting the sensor to a circuit board and an Arduino module for real-time data transmission, we’ve made it perfect for portable and onsite detection.

“Our ultimate goal is to reduce the number of deaths and prevent the serious diseases caused by arsenic contamination and to provide safer drinking water for everyone.”