Experts: People across Rajshahi region heavily exposed to arsenicosis

Arsenic poses a serious threat to the health of the drought affected people as tube well waters in the region, particularly in seven upazillas of Rajshahi and Chapainawabganj districts have become vulnerable to arsenic contamination. The people of Godagari and Tanore upazillas of Rajshahi and Volahat upazilla of Chapainawabganj are the worst sufferers. The observation came at a symposium styled "Health Effects of Chronic Exposure to Arsenic" at the Deans Conference hall of Faculty of Science in Rajshahi University on Thursday. Department of Molecular Nutrition and Toxicology of University of Burney in Japan and Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology of Rajshahi University jointly organized the symposium to mark the 10th anniversary of their joint research on the issue. Prof Dr Seyshiro Himnu from the Japanese university and Head of Environment and Health Science Laboratory Dr Khaled Hossain have been jointly conducting research on arsenic related health risks for the last 10 years in the region. Before the symposium, a research investigation was carried out to assess the water qualities and extents of impurities in groundwater and surface water of Padma river water in Rajshahi City area. Water samples from a total of 330 tube wells and five spots of the river were analyzed for physicochemical, biological and hydrological parameters with standard methods. Among all considered parameters of ground water, concentrations of arsenic, iron, manganese, total hardness, and total coliform and faecal coliform bacteria were found above the permissible limits for potable water. In case of the Padma River water, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, total coliform, faecal coliform and suspended solids exceeded permissible limits. Both ground and river water must be treated properly before distribution for drinking purpose. Finally, the Padma River is recommended as the most sustainable drinking water source for Rajshahi City Corporation area. Microbiology Department Chairman Prof Rejaul Karim, Rajshahi University Pro-Vice-Chancellor Prof Ananda Kumar Shaha, Professor Emeritus Dr Arun Kumar Basak and Science Faculty Dean Prof Akter Faruque addressed the symposium as guests.