Iron Nails and Citizen Scientists: How Researchers are Fighting Back Against Arsenic Contamination
About this episode
The episode discusses arsenic contamination and how communities can combat it through innovative solutions and citizen science.
An estimated 220 million people worldwide are affected by arsenic exposure. So how can communities be empowered to create and implement solutions themselves? In this episode of Balancing the Future , Micah and Chai speak with Jagannath Biswakarma, Senior Research Associate at the University of Bristol, about the global threat of arsenic contamination in groundwater and food. The conversation unpacks why arsenic exposure is so dangerous, how it spreads through soil, crops, and water, and what communities can do to fight back. From simple iron-nail filters that anyone can build, to advanced monitoring systems and international policy shifts, they highlight solutions that save lives today while pointing toward a safer future. They also explore the surprising potential of arsenic recovery to fuel a circular economy, transforming pollutants into valuable resources for industries such as semiconductors. Jagannath also shares how citizen scientists, interdisciplinary collaboration, and stronger communication between researchers and policymakers can turn a toxic crisis into an opportunity for innovation and justice. LINKS Jagannath Biswakarma on LinkedIn METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory…
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