Groundwater Arsenic Contamination, Its Health Effects and Approach for Mitigation in West Bengal, India and Bangladesh

Since 1988, water samples from 140,150 tube-wells were analyzed for arsenic (As) in all 19 districts of West Bengal. In 9 districts, As has been found above the national standard (50 mu g/L) and in 5 districts, between 10 and 50 mu g/L. From Bangladesh, 50,515 tube-well water samples were analyzed from all 64 districts. Arsenic was present above 10 mu g/L in 60 districts and in 50 districts, above 50 mu g/L. Other than urine As speciation, 39,000 biological samples were analyzed from both patients and non-patients, 83% of the samples had As above normal level. Arsenical skin lesions were identified in 13,118 people, screening 114,841 from West Bengal and Bangladesh. About 6.1% of 5,000 children in Bangladesh and 1.7% of 14,000 in West Bengal were found to have arsenical skin lesions. Arsenic neuropathy, obstetric outcome and As in foodstuffs were also studied. Proper watershed management and community participation are needed to mitigate this alarming situation.