Arsenic Contamination in Groundwater in

Bangladesh and its Effect on Human Health

ENV 107

A K M JUBAIR AHMED
ID – 1631398042
Section – 22

North South University

INTRODUCTION

Arsenic
Causes of Arsenic Contamination
 Arsenic compounds are present in soil
 Installations of tube wells triggered the naturally occurring arsenic that
already existed in the earth to dissolve into groundwater
 Oxidation of Arsenic Pyrites or Ferrous Hydroxides
Arsenic Affected Areas in Bangladesh
Effects on Human Health
Non-Observable
 Causes Skin Cancer
 Huge risk for cancers of bladder,
lung, kidney, liver and colon
 Non-Neoplastic diseases

Observable
 Thickening and discoloration
of skin
 Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea, numbness in hand and feet,
partial paralysis, blindness.
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Prevention
 Alternative sources of drinking water
 Use of surface water
 Testing of tube well and marking of contaminated & uncontaminated
tube well

Green >0.05mg/l Red <0.05mg/l

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 Removal of arsenic by chemical precipitation
 Removal of arsenic by oxidation
 Development of sewage and waste disposal system
Results
 Severity of arsenic contamination will be reduced gradually
 Decrease in the mortality rate of infant
 Reduction in the spread of disease and health problems
Conclusion
 Arsenic contamination is not peculiar to Bangladesh alone. It’s a Global
problem.
 Prevention and awareness is the best way to reduce groundwater
pollution
 Continuous surveillance and monitoring of arsenic is needed to
enhance mitigation efforts
 Every citizens must come forward and support the government
References
 https://ispub.com/IJTWM/3/2/9683
 https://safewater.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/sections/202366558
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arsenic_contamination_of_groundwater
 https://www.hindawi.com/journals/tswj/2014/304524/
 www.greenfacts.org/en/arsenic/l-2/arsenic-7.htm
 https://www.epa.gov/dwreginfo/chemical-contaminant-rules
 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2940197/
Thank you !