Arsenic Poisoning in West Bengal

Abstract

Letters from: [ Deba P. Saha ][1] [ Kunnath S. Subramanian ][1] In the article “India's spreading health crisis draws global arsenic experts” by Pallava Bagla and Jocelyn Kaiser (News & Comment, [11 Oct., p. 174][2]), there is no mention of Kshitish C. Saha, who was, to my knowledge, the first to detect and report cases of arsenic poisoning in West Bengal ([1][3]). Saha, who retired in 1987 as a professor and head of the Department of Dermatology at the School of Tropical Medicine in Calcutta, correctly diagnosed a rare dermatological disorder, arsenical dermatoses, in 1983 and went on to treat hundreds of arsenic-affected patients ([2][4]). After detecting a case of what he believed was arsenic-caused skin cancer, he began to analyze the arsenic content of the hair, skin, nails, and urine from his patients. His later research focused on establishing that arsenic was the cause of the poisoning. In 1987, he won the Glaxo Oration Award from the Indian Association of Dermatology, Venerology, and Leprology. His study of 1214 patients with chronic arsenical dermatoses from 61 villages in seven districts of West Bengal from 1983 to 1987 ([3][5]) created a solid foundation for arsenic research in West Bengal. He has now documented more than 200,000 cases. In fact, the photograph of nodular keratosis on a patient's feet that accompanies the News & Comment article shows one of them ([3][5]). 1. 1.[↵][6] 1. K. C. Saha , paper presented at the International Conference on Arsenic in Ground Water, 6 to 8 February 1995. 2. 2.[↵][7] 1. K. C. Saha , Indian J. Dermatol. 29, 37 (1984); [OpenUrl][8][PubMed][9] 1. R. Garai, 2. A. K. Chakrabarty, 3. S. R. Dey, 4. K. C. Saha , J. Indian Med. Assoc. 82, 34 (June 1984); [OpenUrl][10] 1. K. C. Saha, 2. S. Poddar , Indian J. Dermatol. 31, 29 (1986); 1. K. C. Saha , Foundation Souvenir (School of Tropical Medicine, Calcutta, 1986), vol. 1. 3. 3.[↵][11] 1. K. C. Saha , Indian J. Dermatol. 40, 1 (1995). # {#article-title-2} As a member of the World Health Organization (WHO) team that recently visited some of the arsenic-contaminated areas in West Bengal, India, I would like to comment on the article by Bagla and Kaiser. India's official response to the tragedy may have been “low-keyed,” but it was not indifferent. The WHO team met with key central government (of India) and state government (of West Bengal) personnel. Everyone, including the state ministers of the departments of health and public works, is genuinely concerned with the alarming situation and is taking the appropriate steps to avert or mitigate the extent of the tragedy. Among the remedial measures contemplated by the government agencies, the following are especially noteworthy: (i) conducting a comprehensive and systematic survey of the number of tube wells (deep unconfined aquifers used as drinking water supplies) and monitoring the arsenic concentrations in the aquifers and the number of people exposed to chronic arsenic poisoning; (ii) conducting a comprehensive epidemiological study and other research and development activities, such as finding methods of arsenic removal; (iii) setting up treatment plants that ensure the supply of arsenic-safe drinking water; (iv) setting up specialized clinics for the diagnosis and treatment of arsenic skin lesions, including cancer; (v) instituting training programs for medical and paramedical staff working in the affected areas for the early detection and treatment of chronic arsenic exposure; and (vi) launching mass awareness campaigns. Finding the solution to the arsenic calamity in West Bengal will require concerted efforts on the part of many organizations, scientists, and physicians. The scientific expertise in India and abroad should provide the knowledge and technical support for the government agencies to efficiently, effectively, expeditiously, and economically tackle this silent epidemic. 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