Urgent action needed to address arsenic threats in Bangladesh

 Scientists have identified emerging threats of arsenic in the health and agriculture sectors and have recommended a set of immediate measures  to mitigate arsenic impacts on the health of millions of Bangladeshi people. According to a document released on 22 Sunday, March 2010 by the Government of Bangladesh and the United Nations, it was, by and large,  concluded that “arsenic contamination poses a major challenge to achieve the goal of safe water for all by 2011”. The publication titled Towards an Arsenic Safe Environment in Bangladesh,  was officially launched in Dhaka on the occasion of World Water Day by Begum Matia Chowdhury, Minister of Agriculture. Also present were:  Syed Ashraful Islam, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development & Co-operatives, and Dr. A.F.M Ruhul Haque, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, and the UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh, Renata Lok Dessallien. 

According to the presentation made by Dr A. Atiq Rahman, a leading author of the publication and renowned environmentalist, 12.6 per cent of households equivalent to about 20 million people still drink water containing arsenic, which was above the Government standard of 50 micrograms per litre. There is now more evidence of the health impact of arsenic, which can significantly increase mortality from various cancers, heart attacks and cardio-pulmonary diseases. It is also recognised that arsenic can impair the intellectual function of children. Research also suggests that rice irrigated with arsenic-contaminated water can contribute substantially to the daily intake of arsenic in Bangladesh because it is the main staple food.

‘As we celebrate the World Water Day with the theme of ‘Clean Water for a Healthy World’, it is time to take stock of progress made so far and devise a new plan in order to provide arsenic safe water to the 20 million people still at risk’, said Syed Ashraful Islam, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development and Co-operatives. ‘A sector development plan is being devised, taking into account the latest situation assessment’ he stated.

In addition to water, recent data from south-western districts of Bangladesh indicate that rice also contains arsenic due to water irrigation. The average daily intake of arsenic from rice for a Bangladeshi adult is estimated at approximately 100 micrograms arsenic while the WHO Potential Maximum Tolerable Daily Intake (PMDTI) for a 65 kg adult is 140 micrograms. Arsenic may enter the food chain through rice straw used to feed cattle. Food security is also at risk as accumulation of arsenic in the soil through the use of groundwater irrigation may reduce crop yields.

According to the publication, arsenic poses health risks to a significant proportion of the population. Children are particularly vulnerable to arsenic poisoning. The well-known skin lesions caused by arsenic are only the tip of the iceberg of many health consequences, including cancers, lung and heart diseases.

‘Raising awareness among people on the danger of arsenic is essential’, said Dr. A.F.M Ruhul Haque, Minister of Health and Family Welfare. ‘Health workers can disseminate arsenic-related core messages, while the Government will continue to invest in screening and treatment of arsenicosis patients in affected districts” he said.

Towards an Arsenic Safe Environment in Bangladesh includes clear recommendations for mitigating the impact of arsenic in the three sectors of water, health and agriculture, providing a road map for the Government and development partners. Robust arsenic monitoring and screening system are necessary in all sectors while overall coordination is essential to ensure that mitigation in one sector does not negatively affect efforts made in other sectors.

Three UN Agencies, FAO, UNICEF, WHO, and the Water and Sanitation Program of the World Bank have been providing continuous support to the Government in addressing the unprecedented challenge of arsenic contamination. This has included several large-scale initiatives to provide access to alternative safe drinking-water supplies; research into the health impacts, patient management, and arsenic presence in the food chain; capacity building through training of health sector and water supply sector staff, and strengthening of institutional capacity.