Arsenic in groundwater and health problems in Bangladesh

Abstract

Arsenic is listed as a hazardous material and is a suspect carcinogen, reportedly responsible for lung and skin cancers. It is also a teratogen, which means that it is capable of crossing the placental membrane into the metabolic system of unborn children. The level of arsenic allowed in drinking water has been set at 0.01 mg/l by the World Health Organization (WHO). However, the maximum permissible limit of arsenic in drinking water of Bangladesh is 0.05 mg/l. The actual toxicity of arsenic to the human body varies depending on several factors as general health and diet. It is a cumulative substance, which slowly passes out of the body through urine, hair, fingernails/toenails and skin. In Bangladesh, most of the recognized stages of arsenic poisoning have been identified. The risk of arsenic poisoning in Bangladesh is increasing. The number of patients seriously affected by arsenic in drinking water has now risen to 7000 demanding extensive research in this field. This note addresses tubewell contamination in groundwater and health-related impacts. A previous study made by the author presents the subsurface occurrence of arsenic and the reason of contamination. The latest statistics available on the arsenic contamination in groundwater indicate that 52 districts around 80% of the total area of Bangladesh and estimate that around 40 million people are at risk. Patients with melanosis, leuco-melanosis, keratosis, hyperkeratosis, dorsum, non-petting oedema, gangrene and skin cancer have been identified. Among the affected people, the most common presentations are melanosis (93.5%), keratosis (68.3%), hyperkeratosis (37.6%) and dipigmentation (leuco-melanosis) (39.1%). Cancers were found among 0.8% and actinic keratitis and Bowen's disease are identified among 3.1% cases. According to available data the Dhaka Community Hospital (DCH) identified 1903 patients with arsenical skin manifestations, the National Institute for Preventive and Social Medicine (NIPSOM) listed 800 arsenicosis patients and the Institute for Post-Graduate Medical Research (IPGMR) investigated 250 arsenical skin lessions patients.