ABC of arsenic: Facts and figures

Believe it or not, Bangladesh may be experiencing the largest mass poisoning of a population in history! The scale of this environmental disaster is greater than any seen before. It is beyond the accidents at Bhopal, in 1984, and Chernobyl in 1986.The ground water, the main source of drinking water in Bangladesh at present, is contaminated by naturally occurring arsenic in 59 out of Bangladesh's 64 districts.

In the past, arsenic was used as a suicidal and homicidal agent. Many historians today believe that the French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte was poisoned to death like 'Vawal Raja' of Bangladesh with arsenic ('Senko Bish' in Bangla).

History of discovery in Bangladesh: Problem of high levels of arsenic was first detected in 1993, in Chapainawabganj district following reports of contamination in the adjacent districts of West Bengal, India. In West Bengal, India, first reports were published in 1983, and by 1998 massive contamination was confirmed.

Arsenic around the world: There are examples of geologic arsenic contamination in other parts of the world, Argentina, Chilie, China, India, Mexico, Thailand, the USA, but they are relatively site-specific and affect a limited number of people.

Character of arsenic and arsenicosis: Arsenic is a metalloid chemical having both metallic and non-metallic(semi-metallic) characteristics. Manifestations range from skin lesions to cancers. To date in Bangladesh, the emphasis has been on skin manifestations; however, there is emerging literature to suggest that other systems are being affected.

There is no well-defined and unanimously accepted precise clinical criterion for diagnosing arsenicosis in Bangladesh. Recently, implications of health effects and impacts of arsenic and management of arsenicosis were presented and discussed by concerned authorities.

Practiced at this moment in most places:

1.Arsenic free drinking water

2.Nutritious food, fresh vegetables, fresh fruits

3.Anit-oxidant vitamins

4.Salicylic ointment as a keratolytic agent

A public health problem: The magnitude of the arsenic related health problem is not yet determined in a systematic manner. But according to field studies carried out by different agencies the estimated prevalence of people currently drinking arsenic contaminated water may vary from 30-40 million.

Arsenic is a known carcinogen. Chronic exposure to arsenic gives rise to several health problems. Withdrawal and elimination can reverse the disease status if intervened in the preliminary stage.

Finale: Though the Bangladesh government and overseas aid agencies have shown strong commitment to arsenic mitigation in Bangladesh, still, there is much confusion as to the extent of the problem, and there is no well-coordinated public health approach to managing the large-scale exposure to a potential health hazard.