Photo : Collected
Arsenic contamination has become rampant in six upazilas of coastal district Satkhira, with an alarming presence of arsenic in the groundwater of the region. Health experts assert that a maximum of 15 percent arsenic in water is tolerable for the human body, yet tube wells and underground water in the district show arsenic levels as high as 61 percent.
There are 34 percent in Satkhira Sadar, 35 percent in Tala, 34 percent in Debhata, 45 percent in Assasuni, and 28 percent in Kaliganj.
Thousands have been adversely affected by this environmental crisis. A 2022 survey, conducted after testing 54,30,880 tube wells nationwide, revealed that 13.91 percent of those, totaling 7,55,548 tube wells, exceeded the prescribed arsenic levels.
In the first three months of the current year, approximately 8,000 arsenicosis patients have been identified, signifying the urgency of addressing this issue. Experts estimate that nearly 2 crore people in the country are at risk of arsenic-related diseases.
The prevalence of arsenic poisoning dates back to the 1990s, with tube well water identified as the primary source. A recent survey by the Department of Public Health and Engineering (DPHE) reported a reduction in the number of arsenic-contaminated tube wells nationwide. DPHE tested a total of 72 lakh tube wells in 54 districts until 2022, revealing that 13.91 percent had excessive arsenic levels.
Increased public awareness and the installation of deep tube wells are credited for this positive trend, as arsenic contamination is typically higher in shallow tube wells.
Arsenic, a chemical substance that accumulates underground, poses serious health risks when it contaminates water sources. Long-term exposure to arsenic can lead to various symptoms, including vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
Moreover, it can trigger skin diseases, high blood pressure, heart issues, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, mental retardation, asthma, and even cancer if left untreated. Arsenicosis disproportionately affects poor people in rural areas, where access to proper treatment is challenging.
Provision of a safe water supply in rural areas and enhanced medical management for arsenicosis sufferers are crucial interventions. Immediate comprehensive initiatives are required to protect this vulnerable population.
Ensuring safe drinking water is of paramount importance for human health, and it is imperative that the government intensify efforts to guarantee arsenic-free and safe water for the population.
Messenger/Fameema
