From our preliminary survey (1995 to 2000), 33,092 hand tube wells water samples, collected from all 64 districts and found arsenic in 60 districts above WHO recommended value in drinking water (10 µg/L) and in 50 districts above maximum permissible limit, 50 µg/L. In these 50 districts the actual arsenic status is, 37% contains arsenic less than 10 µg/L, 63% and 42% contain arsenic above 10 µg/L and 50 µg/L, respectively. Total population of these 50 districts is about 104.9 million. This does not mean all populations in the 50 districts are drinking arsenic contaminated water or suffering, but undoubtedly, they are at risk. From our study, it appears that groundwater of Hill Tract and Table Land are almost free from arsenic contamination but that of Flood Plain and Deltaic areas are highly arsenic contaminated. During our preliminary survey, people suffering from arsenical dermal lesions have been identified in 31 out of 33 districts where we had made a preliminary dermatological investigation with medical team. From a random of 18,840 examination people in arsenic affected villages where people were drinking arsenic contaminated groundwater during last 6 years. We had registered 3,427 adults (both females and males) and 298 children (both girls and boys), having arsenical dermal lesions, such as: melanosis, leucomelanosis, keratosis, hyperkeratosis, dorsal, non-petting oedema, gangrene, cancer, etc. If children are included, then 19.77% (n=3,725) have arsenical dermal lesions and for separately adults and children these are 24.52% and 6.13%, respectively.
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