Overview
According to The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified arsenic and arsenic compounds as carcinogenic to human and also stated that arsenic in drinking water is carcinogenic to humans. Arsenic (As) is a chemical element and it is a notoriously toxic heavy metal. It occurs naturally in soil and rocks; the presence of arsenic in groundwater possesses a significant threat to both the ecosystem and public health. People are exposed to highly toxic inorganic arsenic at high levels by drinking contaminated water, cooking with it, using it to irrigate crops, eating contaminated food, and smoking tobacco.
Due to this contamination of water the people who are living in this particular area suffers a lot, mainly in Bangladesh and West Bengal also in China, United State, Argentina etc. West Bengal lies within the Ganga-Brahmaputra delta basin have high concentration of arsenic mainly in groundwater. The presence of As may pose of potential health risk related to many health problems like cancer of bladders, lung, skin, kidney and nasal passages. Arsenic contamination in groundwater is common, and many areas have drinking water with high levels of arsenic. It's estimated that about 140 million people in at least 70 countries are drinking water with arsenic levels higher than the WHO guideline of 10 microgram per liter.
What are the sources and causes of Arsenic contamination?
Arsenic poisoning can occur when you take in high levels of arsenic. Drinking contaminated water causes most cases of arsenic poisoning. Because arsenic occurs naturally, it can be present in water that comes in contact with particular rocks and soils. Arsenic levels are higher in groundwater sources, such as wells, then in surface sources such as lake or reservoirs. You may also get arsenic poisoning when using contaminated water while preparing food, including rice and some fish, due to its presence in soil or water. But they also occur due to agriculture industrial processes, such as mining, smelting and manufacturing. If you work in an industry that uses arsenic, you can affected by arsenic poisoning through repeated inhalation of arsenic particles in the air. Industries that use arsenic include pesticides and herbicide, smelting and mining, glass manufacturing, woodworking and carpentry. It is not possible to remove arsenic entirely from the environment of food supply. But we can try to mitigate this arsenic effect and make the environment healthy and toxic free.
How does arsenic affect people and environment?
Arsenic is very poisonous element, it can cause different type of illness and arsenic related cancers like heart disease, nervous system complications, lung cancer, liver cancer, skin cancer, prostate cancer etc. the first symptom of chronic exposure to high levels of inorganic arsenic (for example, through drinking water and food) are usually seen in the skin and include pigmentation changes, lesions on the skin and hard patches on the palm and soles of the feet. In pregnant individuals, arsenic poisoning can cause complications in fetal development and may result in birth defects; it can also affect the child health.
Arsenic is hazard substance and pollutant that contributes to environmental, agricultural, and health problems, posing a significant threat to human health. Arsenic contamination in crops can reduce crops can reduce crop yields and quality, affecting the income of farmers and the availability of food for consumers.
How can I prevent arsenic poisoning?
The best way to prevent arsenic poisoning is to make sure you drink clean water. Also, confirm that all the food you eat is prepared with clean water. You may want to consider only drinking and using bottled water while travelling and as much as possible avoid using groundwater. If you work in an industry that uses arsenic, wear a face mask to lessen your chances of accidentally inhaling arsenic particles. Also, be sure to shower and change your cloth before going home. Because you can unknowingly take the poison home on your skin, hair or clothes. Some filtration systems can remove arsenic from water. Consider water treatment methods like reverse osmosis, ultra-filtration or ion exchange. You can contact your local health department for these procedures. You can also harvest and use rainwater instead of contaminated water.
With sustainable agriculture practices such as crop rotation, phytoremediation and organic farming can reduce the use of arsenic containing pesticides and fertilizers, which can reduce arsenic contamination from soil and water. The issue of groundwater arsenic contamination in world is a big concern that has a widespread impact on a large population. To mitigate this contamination, community involvement and participation are crucial. So, with increasing public awareness of the health risk associated with arsenic exposure and importance of preventing contamination can help to reduce arsenic exposure in communities. By incorporating the Sustainable Development and Goal particularly SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation) we can reduce the contamination and ensuring healthy life for all.
Conclusion
Now, Arsenic is a global issue for planet. This article can help to mitigate its harmful impacts by implementing some technology for filtering water, sustainable development practices and public awareness. So, let us clear our planet from toxic element. Overall, it is a complex issue that demands ongoing research, innovation and collaboration to reduce this problem. We can take a step towards ensuring safe drinking water and prosperous future for generation to come.
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