Lecture # 16: Arsenic contamination in BD

1. Lecture # 16: Arsenic contamination in BD Objectives To Define Arsenicosis To Discuss the Areas of Arsenicosis in BD To Detect the Causes of Arsenicosis in BD To Discuss the Impacts of Arsenicosis in BD To Discuss the Mitigation Process of Arsenicosis in BD Presented byAbul Kalam AzadSenior Lecturer, GEDNorthern University BangladeshE-mail: kalamadd@gmail.com

2. Introduction Arsenic contamination of ground water has become a catastrophe in Bangladesh. It has caused enormous health hazards and social problems. Tube well, which became unavoidable source of drinking water, is now a branded evil thing and brings the poison with ground water. Even, scholars have begun to say that water should be redefined as human threat rather than life giver. Let’s, first of all, define arsenic contamination and then discuss the causes and effects of arsenic contamination in ground water of Bangladesh.

3. Definition of Arsenic Arsenic was first written about by Albertus Magnus (Germany) in 1250. Qumrul Islam Chowdhury defined arsenic as “a white semi-metalic powder found in nature.” [Bangladesh State of Environment Report: Water and Environment, 1999: 26] DFID defined arsenic as ~ “both toxic and carcinogenic” (a substance which causes cancer). [Groundwater Studies for Arsenic Contamination in Bangladesh, 1997:1] Rashida & Mridha defined arsenic as~ “a naturally occurring poisonous chemical element and always present as compound.” [Ibid, p- 162]

4. Arsenic in Nature • Arsenic is present in air, soil and water • Industrial wastes may emit arsenic to the atmosphere. • Most fruits, vegetables, meats and fishes contain arsenic • Arsenic level in sea water and sea fishes is higher • Human beings take a little amount of arsenic every day through breaths, food or drinks. • An intake of 150 microgram of arsenic per day should not cause any harmful effect to human being • Very sensitive person becomes sick with as low as 20 microgram of arsenic a day.

5. Table: Amount of Arsenic in Different Things

6. Chemical Nature of Arsenic at a Glance

7. Confirmation of Diagnosis • Detection of arsenic in urine, nail, hair, skin-scale and liver tissues confirms diagnosis. • Normal values: Urine- 0.005-0.04 mg/L. (level exceeding 1.0 mg/L confirms presence of excess arsenic); Hair- 0.08-0.25 mg/kg; Nail- 0.43-1.08 mg/kg. • Other investigations: Liver function tests, kidney function tests, endoscopy, routine examination of blood and urine.

8. Discovering Arsenic Problem First sample of arsenic in tube well water was detected in 1993 in some southern districts of BD. Arsenic contamination has been found in 19.4% samples. Acceptable range of arsenic have been found in tube well water of 155 Thanas of 44 districts (See the table below).

11. Causes of Arsenic Contamination in Ground Water of BD Rashida & Mridha state: “ . . There are several speculations about the source of arsenic contamination in Bangla-desh such as~ • Wooden electric poles of Rural Electrification Board which are treated with chromate copper arsenate (CCA), ammoniacal copper arsenate (ACA), and ammoniacal copper zinc arsenic (ACZA);

12. High use of fertilizers and pesticides, particularly phosphate fertilizers; • Role of microbes in the aquifers; • Reduction of iron oxyhydroxides etc. [Ibid, p- 163] They further state that all these speculations were gradually rejected and ultimately a survey shows that only the shallow and tube-well water contained high concentration of arsenic which are usually restricted at 40- 150 feet depth.

13. Saumyen Guha says: “The source of arsenic in any aquifer may be either anthropogenic or natural. Anthropogenic emissions of arsenic arise from: Mining ; Fuel consumption ; Smelting of ores (rock or soil from which metal can be obtained); and the use of arsenic in fertilizers and pesticides. [A Study of Arsenic in Drinking Water, Vol # 4, 2001: 1] According to Miller: Arsenic arises from: Oxygen- demanding wastes; Disease-causing agents; Inorganic chemicals; Plant nutrients; Sediments; Radioactive substances; and Heat. [Living Environment, p- 357]

14. Effects of Arsenic on Health Any form of arsenic compound is toxic to human. Its toxicity is more than four times higher than that of the toxic trace element mercury. The toxic effect of arsenic species depend mainly on their chemical form, route of entry, age, sex, dozes and duration of exposure. Arsenic toxicity occurs through contaminated food and drinking water. Skin diseases are the common effects of arsenic poisoning. Long term exposure to excessive arsenic causes changes in skin pigments and hyperkeratosis; promotes development of ulcerations of skin, bladder, kidney and skin.

15. Table: Arsenic Toxicity in different Organ Systems

16. Figure-1: Hyperkeratosis on the palm of hand of a young adult

17. Figure-2: Melanosis on the neck and chest of a middle aged female

18. Table- Clinical Feature of Arsenicosis as observed in Bangladesh

19. Mitigation of Arsenic Contamination There is no single magic bullet solution of arsenic problems. However, many scholars have given some suggestions. DFID –suggestions • Use of surface water with treatment by pond sand filter; • Sinking deep wells into the arsenic free aquifers; • Rain water harvesting; • Sterilization of existing ground water; and • Arsenic treatment at various scales.”

20. 20 Recommendations of the WHO Immediate • Identify arsenicoses patients and at risk patients. • Provide treatment and nutritious food to the patients. • Provide equipment and medicines at health centers to ensure the treatment. • Set up regional facilities for detection of arsenic in water and human body in collaboration of donor agencies. • Create alternate source of safe drinking water.

21. Provide training to health personnel and staff for improving knowledge and efficiency in the diagnosis and management of arsenicoses. • Enhance awareness of people through massive health education campaigns. • Conduct integrated and intensive surveys in Bangladesh and in West Bengal by the support of donor agencies. Long Term • Establish national database on arsenic problem. • Examine efficacies of different de-arsination methods. • Design local projects suitable for specific problem prone areas.

22. Assess types of training need. • Build organizational structure to check drinking water quality. • Build organizational structure to follow up arsenicoses patients on regular basis. • Build National Reference Laboratory for the detection and evaluation of arsenic presence in drinking water and human body. • Provide support to research program relating to arsenic contamination and reduction of risks. • Assess need of fund. • Establish bilateral collaboration with the Government of India in exchanging experiences, travels and joint initiatives. • Strengthen International collaboration for the solution of the problem.

23. Conclusion Finally, it may be said that arsenic contamination in Bangladesh is a great health risk, no doubt. So, we should take proper steps to mitigate such dangerous poison as early as possible.