Impacts of arsenic contamination in groundwater: case study of some villages in Bangladesh |
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Authors: | Nurun Nahar |
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Institution: | (1) Agriculture, Rural Infrastructure & Livestock Division, Planning Commission, Ministry of Planning, Sher-e-Bangla Nagor, Bangladesh |
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Abstract: | The contamination of groundwater in Bangladesh by arsenic is a widespread and serious environmental problem, affecting mainly
the rural population who rely extensively on groundwater for drinking and cooking. The study conducted survey work in a few
affected villages of the Northwest region in Bangladesh. The household survey gathered information on the respondents (affected
by arsenic) water usage and sources, knowledge of the arsenic problem, changes in the source of water for drinking and cooking,
arsenic mitigation technologies and socio-economic information on the households. The survey work shows that percentage of
male patient is higher than female patient among the same level of household income in each study villages. Prevalence of
arsenicosis is more among poorer sections and it is directly related to the poverty situation of the community. People know
more about the health problems caused by arsenicosis but lack knowledge about mitigation aspects. In one of the study areas,
every year an extra 4% tubewell is getting contaminated by arsenic. Arsenic contamination in groundwater also affects the
environment and the ecology negatively. The NGOs have been found contributing to a knowledge creation process in the village
community as the villagers are showing marked behavioral changes in water-use practice.
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Keywords: | Groundwater contamination Drinking water Economy and human capital Tube-well Bangladesh |
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