ARSENIC POLLUTION AND HEALTH HAZARDS

Arsenic toxicity is now-a-days global problem due to ecessive use of ground water and huge exploitation of natural resource materials. The arsenic hazard now appeared as a ‘real disaster'. Tens of millions of persons in many districts of India and Bagladesh are drinking ground water with arsenic concentrations far above acceptable levels. Thousands of people have already been diagnosed with poisoning symptoms, even though much of the at-risk population has not yet been assessed for arsenic-related health problems. Long-term exposure to arsenic in drinking water and by other exposures can cause cancer in the skin, lungs, bladder and kidney. It can also cause other skin changes such as thickening and pigmentation. The cause of contamination, mapping of the contaminated area, exposues pathways, toxicities and mitigation programs taken are discussed.

Contribution proposed for:   oral presentation