Arsenicosis has become a major health hazard for people in Bangladesh in recent days. Millions of people in rural Bangladesh are now at risk of arsenic poisoning, and the number is increasing everyday. The problem of arsenic contamination in groundwater in Bangladesh has become a serious public health problem.

 

Despite its severity, the problem of arsenic contamination still remains at the stage of identification. People are not aware of its extent and severity. A rough and vague knowledge of arsenic poisoning prevails among both male and female members in rural communities. 

 

The nature of problems is also not well defined and explained. People suffering from arsenic related diseases still drink water from the same sources. Most of the patients also do not get the right treatment from doctors. Many of them face various social problems and are isolated from others.

 

The problems of arsenic contamination in Bangladesh are new. People who are working or are involved in arsenic mitigation activities also face difficulties due to lack of information as well as lack of knowledge and skill.

 

 It is now necessary to screen all tube-wells in the country for arsenic contamination and be marked accordingly so that consumers can avoid the use of arsenic contaminated water as well as find out sources of arsenic free water.

 

To meet the challenge and to provide millions of people with arsenic-free safe drinking water, the government needs to formulate a long term planning strategy for development of community water resources.

 

Creating awareness of arsenic at community level is also essential to combat the devil. The people should be made conscious about arsenic pollution and its consequences.

 

In this study we have tried our best to describe the actual situation of arsenic contamination and its impact on the country?s overall socio-economic conditions.

 

The study is based on field visits by a team of journalists led by Ziaur Rahman. Other team members were Sultana Rahman and ASM Oliur Rahman. The report is a synthesis of collected data, official documents, reports prepared by various NGOs, investigations and interviews taken by the team.

 

The entire venture was supported by the Norwegian Development Agency NORAD without which this report would have never seen the light of the day. Field level investigations could not be conducted, and journalists could not be sent out to spend time in the field conducting serious investigation into the hazards of arsenic. We thank and appreciate NORAD for the financial support it provided us to successfully conduct and complete the task.