Hidden Danger: Arsenic Poisons Millions Daily

Across the Indo-Gangetic plains, millions of families are unknowingly consuming drinking water contaminated with arsenic, with concentrations often exceeding World Health Organization guidelines. This widespread contamination affects an estimated 140 million people in southern Asia, with 20 to 30 million in India at risk of chronic exposure. Public health experts have labeled this the largest, albeit slow-moving, mass poisoning event in history.

Scientific research, particularly from Bangladesh, reveals a broader health toll beyond skin lesions and cancers. Long-term studies demonstrate a clear link between arsenic exposure and increased mortality, significantly raising risks for cardiovascular diseases like heart attacks and strokes, alongside lung and bladder cancers. District-level studies in India also indicate elevated rates of these diseases in affected populations.

The arsenic crisis stems from natural geological and microbiological processes in sediments eroded from Himalayan rocks. For years, scientists believed mobilization occurred deep underground. However, field research revealed that arsenic release often begins near the surface when bacteria in oxygen-poor sediments break down iron compounds. This process began impacting human health significantly in the 1970s and 1980s with the widespread installation of shallow tube wells.

Evidence from Bangladesh shows that decisive action matters. A study found that individuals who switched to safer water sources experienced up to a 50 percent lower risk of death from chronic conditions. In India, the ongoing Jal Jeevan Mission aims to provide piped water to all rural households, offering a potential solution to this environmental health threat, though significant work remains to ensure the water is safe.