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
SOURCES
Arsenic reduction to <1 µg/L in Dutch drinking water – ScienceDirect
Algal Logistics – U.S. Department of Energy
Pollution and Circular Economy – EU Environment Program
Three ways pollution can be turned into something useful – World Economic Forum
Lead toxicity in plants: Impacts and remediation – PubMed
Cadmium toxicity in plants: Impacts and remediation strategies - ScienceDirect
The ocean – the world’s greatest ally against climate change – United Nations
ABOUT BALANCING THE FUTURE:
Join Micah Schweizer and new host Chai Nussbaumer on Balancing the Future as they dive into the innovations shaping our world. From the potential of hydrogen in powering a greener planet, to the rise of GLP-1s in weight loss, and the frontier of microbiome-based treatments, they explore the science that's transforming our lives.
Each episode features in-depth conversations with scientists, communicators, and thought leaders who are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. They also explore the impact these breakthroughs will have on a world in desperate need of sustainable solutions today.
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