Editorial
  We need to work to get rid of the silent killer called arsenic
  20-01-2021

Another name for water is life. Water is essential for human life. Without water our lives are useless. In daily life we use water for various purposes. Water is used to quench our thirst and in cooking. In rural areas, people usually drink water from a tube well next to their house, thinking it is safe. And there is no way to know if that water contains more arsenic than the prescribed level without testing. Arsenic is basically a type of chemical element. Water contains low levels of arsenic all the time. But whenever its levels become higher than normal, it takes a terrible form. Internationally, the tolerable level of arsenic per liter of water is 0.01 mg and the tolerable level of Bangladesh water is 0.05 mg. In that context, the level of arsenic in our country is much higher. At present, about two crore people are drinking water containing arsenic in our country. Out of 64 districts of our country, arsenic has been found in more than tolerable levels in tube well water in 54 districts. Rangamati, Bandarban, Khagrachhari, Panchagarh, Thakurgaon, Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat, Joypurhat, Barguna and Patuakhali districts have very low presence of arsenic in tube well water. In 2003, 29% of the country`s tube well water contained excessive arsenic. Besides, no other survey has been conducted in this country so far. According to a 2016 report by Human Rights Watch with the World Health Organization, the world`s largest example of "mass poisoning" is the arsenic situation in Bangladesh. Every year 43,000 people die due to arsenic poisoning in Bangladesh. However, the Department of Health claimed that this information was not correct. But the Department of Health has so far failed to provide figures on how many people die each year due to arsenic. In 2012, the government conducted a survey. At that time 65 thousand 910 people were infected with arsenic poisoning. After that various steps were taken to solve the problem of arsenic but the expected results were not obtained. On the contrary, the activities of this silent killer are increasing day by day. Which we cannot comprehend. Arsenic contamination is mainly due to natural causes. The soil contains arsenic minerals. When this mineral comes in contact with the ground water level, it mixes with the water and contaminates the water. Also our country uses chemical fertilizers and pesticides for agricultural production. As a result, rivers, canals, canals and seawater are being polluted by mixing with rain water. This excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides is one of the causes of arsenic contamination. Arsenic poisoning is not immediately understood. That is understood after a few years. When we drink arsenic-contaminated water for a long time, it gradually causes symptoms of various diseases in our body. There is no smell of arsenic. So we can`t easily realize that. At one stage we notice a type of sore or sore on the hands and feet, known as arsenicosis. The arsenic-infected patient develops redness of the tongue, gums, lips, and loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting. It can even cause terrible diseases like cancer. Which can lead to death. So we want the government to take strict measures to solve the arsenic pollution. And by turning those steps into reality, it will be possible to solve the arsenic problem. Deep tube wells should be used for drinking water and cooking. There is no risk of arsenic in rain water. So rain water should be saved and used. Water from rural ponds should be boiled and used. Tube well water should be tested and used and arsenic containing tube wells should be marked with red color. So that everyone can be aware of this silent killer. We need to make people aware of arsenic through radio and television and present the dangers of arsenic. Then people will be forced to be aware. So finally, arsenic is not a contagious disease. So there is no risk of being infected from one to another. It is spread only through drinking water. So people need to be more aware and take safe water. In areas where arsenic levels are high, the government needs to provide safe water. Then it is possible to get rid of this silent killer. Because, beautiful and healthy life is desirable for everyone.