Bangladesh
Arsenic Cancer germs detected in 49% of drinking water in Bangladesh
Dhaka, Jan 19: Almost half of the water Bangladeshis drink contains dangerously high levels of arsenic, a new study has found.
According to the study, the level of arsenic, which causes cancer, is a serious risk to the health of Bangladeshis, but the people of the country are drinking this water. This information was reported in a research article published in the scientific journal PLOS One on Wednesday (January 17).
Scientists collected water samples from different parts of Bangladesh to conduct this study. The researchers tested the oxygen concentration, pH and temperature of the water to understand the level of arsenic release. Unsafe levels of cancer-causing arsenic have been found in 49 percent of the water most people in Bangladesh drink, researchers said.
Arsenicosis occurs in humans due to the presence of arsenic in excessive amounts in water. Which can lead to lung, bladder, kidney and skin cancer. The findings of this study highlight the severity of the public health crisis in Bangladesh.
According to the research article, this South Asian country often faces heavy floods. At the same time, Bangladesh is most vulnerable to the harmful effects of the climate crisis. Millions of people in the country are already suffering from skin, bladder and lung cancer due to arsenic.
In 2018, almost one-third of the area of Bangladesh was submerged under the influence of Cyclone Amphan. About 21 percent of Bangladesh is flooded every year due to heavy rainfall during the monsoon season.
According to a research article published in the journal PLOS One, the presence of excessive levels of arsenic in Bangladesh's water is directly linked to sea level rise and heavy seasonal flooding. Arsenic is released from the sediments as saltwater from the ocean mixes with fresh water.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the maximum tolerable level of arsenic in water is 10 parts per billion (ppb). But the researchers found that arsenic levels in tubewell water in 49 percent of Bangladesh are much higher than the tolerable levels recommended by WHO. The concentration of arsenic in the water of some areas was found to be 450 micrograms per liter. Which is 45 times higher than the level recommended by the World Health Organization.
