Risk of cancer from arsenic in Bangladesh

Abstract EN

Objective of this study was to explore the susceptibility of the urban and rural populations of Bangladesh to arsenic, assess the risky behaviour of contracting arsenic and recommend measures to be adopted for prevention of arsenic exposure.

The study was done through literature search, analysis of the existing situation in Bangladesh, and discussions with experts.

A UN report has warned that almost 57 million people in Bangladesh, around 50% of the country’s population, are at risk of cancer because of well water that gets contaminated with arsenic.

According to health officials, 45 percent of Bangladesh’s 21 million tube wells are feared to be pumping arsenic contaminated water threatening the health of our people.

More than 10,000 people have been identified in the country as suffering from arsenic-related diseases and an estimated 28-35 million could be at risk.

Arsenic and other heavy metals used in industry have caused many deaths.

A number of pesticides and other chemicals, known as PoPs (persistent organic pollutants), which are used both in agriculture and in industry, can cause cancer, damage to the liver, kidney and intestines, blood pressure, sterility genetic abnormalities, malnutrition and genetic abnormalities in humans.

Arsenic was found above permissible limits in vegetables, fruits and cereal crops grown in soils irrigated with contaminated water and due to arsenic, the nutritive value of food may decreases.

Appropriate measures should be taken as soon as possible.

Factors, such as ignorance, illiteracy, malnutrition, low-income etc.

have been shown to be responsible.

Public awareness is urgently required to overcome this catastrophic uncertainty.