Arsenic panic in Gopalganj

GOPALGANJ, Jan 29: Public health is being threatened in five thanas due to increasing arsenic contamination in ground water both in town and rural areas.

As a result arsenic has created panic in all five thanas.

According to a NGO survey report, arsenic was detected in water of about 95 per cent tube-wells of Gopalganj sadar thana. Out of water of 15,400 tube-wells, water of 13,084 tube-wells are arsenic contaminated.

From 48,976 families, 3,18,448 members have been tested. There 371 patients have been detected in sadar thana. There are 91 patients at Chandradigulia village of Paikkandhi UP. The survey had been conducted in eight groups in 22 unions under Gopalganj sadar thana. The programme has been completed in three months from October 1 to December 31.

A non-government organisation Gono Unnayan Prochasta (GUP) conducted the survey on 2,581 tube-wells of Chandradigulia village under Paikkandhi UP found in Gopalganj sadar thana. They found out 91 arsenic patients, Md Azharul Islam thana co-ordination of Gopalganj sadar thana said this to correspondent.

According to Gopalganj Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE) sources, about 10 lakh people are attacked with arsenic related diseases. Water of about 99 per cent tube-wells in different thanas are more or less arsenic contaminated. Arsenic contamination in tube-wells waters have been found in large number in Muksudpur, Kasiani and Gopalganj sadar thana.

A large number of people have been suffering in these thanas from arsenic related diseases for a long time. About 99 per cent tube-wells in these areas have already been sealed off by marking red and with warming signboard. DPHE has expressed that dangerous level of arsenic contents in water is above.05 mg.

During examination of water sample from different tube-wells arsenic contents have been found below the danger level which is up to.02 mg in some areas.

Executive engineer of local DPHE told The Daily Star that steps are being taken to examine the remaining tube-wells. The department has already informed the concerned ministry about widespread arsenic contamination in the district.

People of the town area are drinking boiled water. People of rural areas are drinking water from rivers and ponds. Arsenic contents have been found in the municipal areas of Gopalganj and other thanas.

The sources further said, despite sealing off arsenic contaminated tube-wells many people of rural areas are found to be using water of arsenic contaminated tube-wells.

No alternative arrangement have yet been made in the rural areas for supply of pure water.

DPHE experts opined that surface water, rain water, water of river and ponds are free from arsenic contamination. Water of deep tube-wells under 500 feet are also free from arsenic.