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Arsenic-laced water 'threatens millions in Bangladesh'

Government inaction, crooked politicians exacerbate major health problem, rights group says
Arsenic-laced water 'threatens millions in Bangladesh'

A child plays near a shallow tube well in a village in Bangladesh's southern Satkhira district in this 2015 photo. About 20 million people, mostly rural poor in Bangladesh are still drinking arsenic-contaminated water from similar shallow wells, a recent study says. (Photo by Stephan Uttom)

Published: April 07, 2016 09:08 AM GMT
Updated: June 03, 2022 02:11 PM GMT

Some 20 million people in Bangladesh, mostly the rural poor, are still drinking arsenic-contaminated water more than two decades after the deadly natural toxin was discovered, says a report from New York-based Human Rights Watch.

About 43,000 people die each year due to various arsenic-related diseases including skin lesions, cancer, cardiovascular diseases and lung illnesses, said the report launched at National Press Club in Dhaka on April 6, on the eve of World Health Day.

Currently, about 65,000 people suffer from various illnesses relating to arsenic, according to Bangladesh’s Health Ministry. However, Human Rights Watch estimates the figure is much higher.

Many more will die if nothing is done to address the problem, the rights group said.

The 111-page report titled: "Nepotism and Neglect: The Failing Response to Arsenic in the Drinking Water of Bangladesh’s Rural Poor" said poor governance and lack of medical services largely ignores the impact of exposure to arsenic on people’s health.

"Bangladesh isn’t taking basic, obvious steps to get arsenic out of the drinking water of millions of its rural poor," said Richard Pearshouse, a senior researcher at Human Rights Watch and author of the report.

"The government acts as though the problem has been mostly solved."

 

A woman sets off to collect drinking water in Bangladesh's southern Satkhira district in this 2015 photo. About 20 million people, mostly rural poor in Bangladesh are still drinking arsenic-contaminated water from shallow wells, Human Rights Watch says. (Photo by Stephan Uttom)

 

Government response 'shocking and frustrating'

Arsenic is a naturally occurring toxin found in the soil and groundwater in up to 30 countries around the world including large river-delta regions like Bangladesh and India.

Wells in Bangladesh that reach depths of about 150 meters or more are usually safe, but most are considerably shallower, stopping at around 50 meters. This is largely because many people can’t afford to install deep wells

The government can help by digging deeper, safer wells in places where they are accessible to more people and regularly monitor them for arsenic, but that isn't happening, the report says.

Instead, local and national politicians have diverted construction of safer government wells to their political supporters and allies, leaving poorer people without access to safe water.

"It’s shocking and frustrating to see the government response is almost non-existent in some of the villages hardest hit by arsenic," Pearshouse said.

"Many of these deaths and serious illnesses are preventable if the government would stop wasting wells where they’re not needed, and end the pernicious influence of members of parliament," he added.

From 1999 to 2006, the government, international donors, and nongovernmental organizations oversaw a campaign to mitigate arsenic contamination in Bangladesh’s groundwater.

Between 2000-03 some 5 million wells across the country were tested. The screening found that wells of an estimated 20 million people were arsenic-contaminated.

Since 2006, however, the urgency of such efforts has disappeared. A nationwide study of drinking water quality in 2013 found a similar result to the earlier screening.

"This is no longer a technical or engineering problem. The problems are about poor governance, political influence and wrong policy," Pearshouse said.

The arsenic problem in Bangladesh dates back to the 1970s when development agencies encouraged villagers to dig wells for drinking water instead of relying on dirty and potentially contaminated surface water from ponds, canals and rivers.

Since then, millions of hand-pumped shallow wells have been installed, which tapped water tables containing arsenic.

In 1993, scientists discovered arsenic in millions of shallow tube wells in 61 out of 64 districts across the country. In 2000, the World Health Organization called it "the largest mass poisoning of a population in history.” 

A government official responding to the report said concrete measures are in place to mitigate arsenic contamination.

"In addition to building awareness and testing tube wells, some 20,000-25,000 new tube wells are installed every year in rural areas to help people get access to safe drinking water,” said Sudhir Kumar Ghosh, a senior official at the Department of Public Health Engineering.

He declined to comment when asked how local and national politicians hamper their efforts. 

 

Caritas helps communities mitigate arsenic hazards 

Pintu William Gomes, senior manager for disaster management at Caritas Bangladesh, told ucanews.com that since the past decade, Caritas has worked through various projects relating to tackling arsenic contamination in drinking water in eight region across Bangladesh.

The projects include awareness about arsenic among villagers, testing and marking tube wells green and red as per level of arsenic and referring patients suffering from arsenic related diseases to government hospitals.

In addition, villagers receive aid for installing deep wells, preserving rainwater and technology to filter and use surface water.

Caritas is also offering assistance to villagers through water, sanitation and hygiene projects so they can counter arsenic contamination.

"Nowadays, funding has declined on arsenic mitigation projects. We are mostly working on empowering communities in rural areas to take safety measures themselves against arsenic contamination," said Gomes.

"A strong role from the government and local administration can ensure that most needy people in arsenic-hit areas get the support they need,” he added.

Arsenic is “a widespread and complex problem,” and probably can't be completely solved. However, the government, international and national development agencies need to rethink about how to land and help people use surface water" Gomes said.

 

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