Arsenic Project

VISIT TO AN ARSENIC CONTAMINATED AREA

DEPARTMENT OF APPLIED GEOLOGY & ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEM MANAGEMENT PRESIDENCY COLLEGE KOLKATA BY MURARI MOHAN MANNA

INTRODUCTION Arsenic pollution in the Bengal delta is considered to be the most hazardous environmental problem in recent years, affecting millions of people residing in West Bengal and adjoining Bangladesh. Tube wells in the depth range 20–50 m yield maximum arsenic concentration in groundwater; the values may exceed 500 ppb compared to the maximum permissible limit of 50 ppb in potable water(as permitted by WHO).Tube wells in the depth range of 120-140metres are also reported to discharge arsenic contaminated water. In Bangladesh and West Bengal, alluvial Ganges aquifers used for public water supply are polluted with naturally occurring arsenic, which adversely affects the health of millions of people. Previously arsenic contamination was reported only from workers of factories who had to deal with Arsenic in workplace, but when the symptoms of common people who had no relations with the workers matched with them in physical characteristic the focus shifted to the food habits of these common people. Initially the filters used in tube wells were considered to be culprits behind the Arsenic contamination, but after elaborate research the Ground water was proved to be the reason behind Arsenic contamination of millions of people of the region. Arsenic is a naturally occurring poisonous chemical element and always present as compound. It is widely distributed in the soil profile as component of different minerals and found in nominal amounts in all organisms. Arsenic is a partially metallic substance and always present as compounds. Organic arsenic is generally less (about ten-fold) toxic than inorganic arsenic. The commonly existing inorganic As-species in groundwater are in the form of arsenate (As V) and arsenite (As III), the latter being more mobile and toxic (40-60 times) for living organisms. Arsenic occurs in West Bengal as geological deposits at a shallower depth (usually at 40-150 feet). The source of arsenic in deltaic plain of West Bengal is considered to be the arsenic-rich sediments transported from the Chotonagpur Rajmahal Highlands (Acharya et al. 2000; Saha et al. 1997) and deposited in sluggish meandering streams under reducing conditions. Generally shallow tube well water is found heavily contaminated by arsenic ranging from 0.01-3.0 mg/l. The most common arsenic mineral is arsenopyrite which often occurs as impurity in arsenopyrite- rich sulphide ores.

Effects of Arsenic on Human Health:Any form of arsenic compound is toxic to human. Its toxicity is more than four times higher than that of the toxic trace element mercury. The toxic effect of arsenic species depends mainly on their chemical form, route of entry, age, sex, doses and duration of exposure. Arsenic toxicity occurs through contaminated food or drinking water. Skin diseases are the common effects of arsenic poisoning. Long term exposure to excessive arsenic causes changes in skin pigments and hyperkeratosis; promotes development of ulcerations of skin; and accelerates the risk of cancer in liver, bladder, kidney and skin. It happens in three stages: i) Initial stage: Dermatitis, keratities, conjunctivities,bronchities and gastroenteritis. ii) Second stage: Peripheral neuropathy, hepatopathy, melanosis, depigmentation and hyperkeratosis. iii) Final stage: Gangrene in the limbs, malignant neoplasm, and cancer. Approximately 20 incidents of groundwater arsenic contamination have been reported from all over the world. Of these, four major incidents were in Asia: in Bangladesh); West Bengal, India; Inner Mongolia, China; and Taiwan. The world’s two biggest cases of groundwater arsenic contamination and those that affected the greatest number of people were in Bangladesh and West Bengal. Nine districts in West Bengal, India, and 42 districts in Bangladesh have arsenic levels in groundwater above the World Health Organization maximum permissible limit of 50 µg/L. The area and population of the 42 districts in Bangladesh and the 9 districts in West Bengal are 92,106 km2 and 79.9 million and 38,865 km2 and 42.7 million, respectively. Current statistics show that there are 985 arsenic-affected villages in 69 police stations of nine arsenic-affected districts in West Bengal.

Physical parameters and arsenic-affected districts of Bangladesh and West Bengal. PARAMETERS Total area (km2)

BANGLADESH 148,393

WEST BENGAL 89,192.4

Total population (million)

120

68

Total number of districts

64

19

No. of districts with arsenic levels in groundwater > 50 µg/L

42

9

Area of affected districts (km2)

92,106

38,865

Population of affected districts (million)

79.9

42.7

No. of districts with patients with arsenical skin lesions to date

25

7

Map showing the arsenic-affected districts and the districts where arsenic patients have been identified in West Bengal and Bangladesh. Districts in West Bengal are indicated by letters, as follows: A, Maldah; B, Murshidabad; C, Bardhaman; D, Hugli; E, Howrah; F, Nadia; G, North 24-Parganas; H, South 24Parganas; and I, Calcutta. Districts in Bangladesh are indicated by numbers, as follows: 1, Nawabganj; 2, Rajsahi; 3, Kushthia; 4, Meherpur; 5, Chuadanga; 6, Jhinaidah; 7, Jessore; 8, Satkhira; 9, Khulna; 10, Narail; 11, Magura; 12, Natore; 13, Pabna; 14, Rajbari; 15, Faridpur; 16, Gopalganj; 17, Pirojpur; 18, Bagerhat; 19, Sirajganj; 20, Manikganj; 21, Madaripur; 22, Barishal; 23, Jalkathii; 24, Jamalpur; 25, Tangail; 26, Munsiganj; 27, Shariatpur; 28, Sherpur; 29, Mymensingh; 30, Narayanganj; 31, Chandpur; 32, Laxmipur; 33, Netrokona; 34, Kishoreganj; 35, Narsingdi; 36, Braminbaria; 37, Comilla; 38, Noakhali; 39, Feni; 40, Sunamganj; 41, Chittagong; and 42, Bogra.

AIM OF THE STUDY The Deganga Block of the North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal is one of the most Arsenic contaminated regions of the Ganga-BrahmaputraMeghna deltaic region. Till date at least 170 people had died in North 24 Parganas due to Arsenic contamination related complications. A field survey was organized by the Department of Environmental Systems Management, Presidency College on 8th December 2007 in the Arsenic affected regions of the Habra region to have a first hand knowledge of the enormity of the Arsenic contamination on the life of the inhabitants of the region. The visit enlightened upon the salient features• Effect of acute and chronic Arsenic contamination among the general masses of the region. • To gather information on different stages of Arsenicosis disease. • Awareness of the people regarding the impact of the Arsenic contamination. • Why are the common people compelled to consume arsenic contaminated water? • Socio-economic condition of the people .their food habits in general, their nutritional level and their body immunity to combat the menace of Arsenic pollution. • Role of the Governmental and several non Governmental organizations in combating the pollution and aiding the affected ones.

METHODS AND MATERIALS Our objective of visit to Deganga is due to a questionnaire based project to experience of how arsenic contamination is hindering the natural flow of life in these areas. The journey to the affected regions was started on the morning of 8th December 2007 in two Tata Sumos and ended in the evening. Some basic questions to know the physical, socio-economic condition of the inhabitants of two villages namely Kamdebkathi and Kolsur at Deganga were done. Apart from that we have prepared some survey sheets, taken some pictures of the different affected persons and different stages of their arsenic related diseases manifestations. We have also tried to investigate the measures that have been taken in response to prevent arsenic contamination among these villagers by governmental and non-governmental organizations. We have seen the arsenic purification units. Finally we tried to figure out the awareness level of local people in prevention of arsenic contamination and whether they are taking some active measures to find out any solutions or not. We haven’t done any chemical analysis so it is truly an observation based project; data are collected from different books, research papers, magazines, news papers and from internet also. The following questions are included in our survey questionnaire:
Name, age, occupation of the surveyed individual?
How long the person inhabited the place?
How the arsenic contaminated water is consumed? Are they compelled to do that or there are some way outs?
What physical complications had been encountered?
What are the projects/solution measures taken by governmental organizations or NGOs?
How much are the masses conscious of the impact of the pollution?

DEMOGRAPHIC CONDITION OF THE VISITED AREAS Location North 24 Parganas is situated in the southern part of the Bengal Basin. The geographical extent of the district lies between 88019/ E, 23020/ N to 89010/ E, 22001/ N. The district consists of 22 blocks. Officially there are 1582 inhabited villages in North 24 Parganas district. There are 679 Municipal areas (known as wards) in North 24 Parganas district. Extending over an area of 4094 km2, the district has 89,34,286 inhabitants (46,38,756 are males and 42,95,530 females). The region is highly affected by Arsenic contamination and at least 170 people have died due to arsenic contamination related complications. DEGANGA (Coordinates:-22◦43’N; 88◦29’E/22◦72’N; 88◦48’E) is a town with a police station, a community development block, and an assembly constituency in Barasat subdivision of North 24 Parganas district in the Indian state of West Bengal. The area with an old history in a rural setting is facing the problem of groundwater. The region is accessible by road and by railways. Administration: Deganga is an intermediate panchayat (local selfgovernment) under North 24 Parganas district. Village panchayats under it are – Amulia, Berachampa I & II, Chakla, Champatala, Chaurashi, Deganga I & II, Hadipur-Jikhra I & II, Kolsur, Nurnagar and Sohai-Shetpur. ◦ Population: In the 2001 census, Deganga community development block had a population of 276,049 out of which 141,545 were males and 134,504 were females.

Kamdebkathi: One of the most affected area. It is a small village with considerably small population. Most of the people in this village are from lower income group and their nutritional level is also very poor. Agriculture, casual labor etc their occupation the village doesn’t have any arsenic purification unit inside one kilometer. Most of tube wells remained unmarked. At Kamdebkati only 19.3% tube wells are safe for drinking as the arsenic concentration is less than 50 µg/l. Lots of people are suffering from arsenic contamination related complication many have died. Medical facility is very scarce with no health centre nearby; no regular awareness campaign is done.

Kolsur: Kolsur is within Deganga block. The total area and population of kolsur are 16.32 sq. km. and 19621 respectively. There are approximately 2400 hand tube wells in Kolsur but arsenic contaminated tube wells are not

demarcated properly. Arsenic contamination in tube well water of Kolsur is not homogeneously distributed among the villages. Out of total 16 arsenic purification plants, 13 plants (81%) are not useful. Though the plant wise, numbers of users are not fixed, we have estimated an average number of user 200 to 250 people for each plant. The maximum number of user 900 – 1000 persons is and the minimum number of user 60 – 70 persons. Most of the people belong to lower income group; agriculture, pottery and casual labor and products of domestic animals are the source of economy. Overall nutritional level is quite low but people seemed to be aware of the arsenic related problems and know the measures they have to take. There are a lot of ponds and wetlands that remains unutilized those can easily work for rain water harvesting or for water supply.

OBSERVATONS PATIENTS SURVEYED IN KAMDEBKATHI:I]

KAMALA MANDAL

(Age; 52yrs)

Observations: • Have numerous small raindrops like black dispigmentations allover her body. The extremities of her body specially her feet and palms are most affected. • The heels and palms of the patient are rough in nature and boils on the limbs are highly prominent. • The finger and toes of the patient are distorted. • Yellow pigmentations also prominent on palms and toes. • Keratosis and melanosis formation are highly prominent(which appears like callused skin protrusions on palms and soles) • Loss of appetite and Pain in the pigmented areas. • Weakness and dizziness. • Head swiveling is also present in the patient.

Figure shows palms of Kamala Mandal

NOTE:Kamala Mandal, a vegetable vendor was first detected as a patient of Arsenic Pollution in the year 1995.She was one of the first patients brought into limelight of the Arsenic Pollution in the state. She has undergone several Grafting treatments to give certain amount of solace to her. Arsenic free water has to be procured from Amol Arsenic Treatment Plant situated at a distance of 1K.M from her residence .As she has no other member in her family; she has none to fetch her potable water from the treatment Plant. Leaving with no other alternative she is bound to drink the Arsenic contaminated water knowing consciously that she is consuming slow poison. She is also complaining of the fact that there is no medical attention .Many people just come and see their plight but without any fruitful relief to patients like her.

II]

UJJWAL GHOSH (Age; 35yrs)

Observations: • Has few black spots on his body but has prominent white patches allover the body especially on the extremities of the body. • The palms show symptoms of melanosis. • Irritation of the affected area takes place especially at night. • Symptoms of asthmatic cough is present in the patient. • Symptoms of Leucomelanosis are visibly distinct in thighs and lower arms of the patient. • The patient runs into fits of high temperatures at certain times.

Figure: - (above)-Leg of Ujjwal Ghosh (below)-Palm of Ujjwal Ghosh

NOTE:Ujjwal Ghosh was a permanent inhabitant of the area and had developed symptoms of keratosis and melanosis by consuming Arsenic Polluted water. Recently he has migrated to Kerala for work and by avoiding Arsenic contaminated water has shown signs of recovery.

Ujjwal Ghosh is showing signs of Leucomelanosis- a condition in which patient shows signs of recovery depicted by the white patchy markings on the affected parts of the body.

III] ARJUN GHOSH

(Age; 50yrs)

Observations:• Mild black rain drops like pigmentations as well as black patches are present on the palms and feet of the patient- a condition of melanosis. • White patches are prominent –a condition of Leucomelanosis. • Feeling of extreme weakness and loss of appetite. • The patient runs into series of high temperatures at certain times. • Sensation of pain in the affected areas. • Suffers from indigestion and diarrhea frequently.

Figure shows palm of Arjun Ghosh

IV] SANDHYARANI GHOSH

(Age; 45yrs)

Observations:• Have numerous small rain drops like black pigmentations especially on the extremities of her body like the palms and the toes. Patient shows condition of melanosis and keratosis. • Severe soreness in affected areas. • Loss of appetite. • Feeling of weakness and dizziness. • Sensation of extreme neck pain and joint pain especially at night. • The surface of the feet is rough in nature and numerous cracks are observed. NOTE:Sandhyarani Ghosh and her husband Arjun Ghosh were diagnosed to be prone to Arsenic contamination in 1990’s and were advised not to consume water from their nearby tube well which was detected to discharge Arsenic contaminated water high beyond permissible limits . Due to their low socio-economic they cannot afford to consume high proteinaceous nutritious diet too often. They have visited SSKM Hospital in Kolkata several times with other affected persons of the region and had consultations several times but without any fruitful outcome. The last series of consultations had been more than 5-6 years back. The local Panchayet has not been supportive. At present the family is fetching in potable Arsenic free water from Amol Arsenic Treatment Plant at a distance of 1 KM by producing Govt. cards. Earlier water used to be delivered at doorstep.

V]

PARIMAL BISWAS

(Age; 50 yrs)

Observations:• No external discernible peculiarities observed in him. NOTE:Parimal Biswas belongs to a comparative higher socio-economic condition as he works in the Post-Office. He can afford himself and his family with nutritious and proteinaceous diet and being educated he is well aware of the effects of Arsenic contamination and has avoided the toxic water of the local tube well. Thus Parimal Biswas and his family have escaped from the deadly effect of Arsenic Pollution.

PATIENTS SURVEYED IN KOLSUR:I]

LAXMI RANI DAS

(AGE: 52YRS)

Observations:• Black patches present on the hands and feet. Numerous rain drops like pigmentations are also found on the body – a condition of Keratosis. • Small yellowish pigmentations present on the palms and feet. • The feet are exceptionally cracked and deformation of fingers observed. • Head swiveling is present in the patient. • Feeling of extreme weakness and awkwardness in the body. • The patient runs into fits of high fever at certain times of the year especially in winter.

Figure (above): foot of Laxmi Rani Das (below): palms of Laxmi Rani Das

NOTE:Laxmi Rani Das has been suffering from the effects of Arsenic Pollution for almost 20 years. Her husband Dilip Das has died a few years back owing to the cumulative effects of Arsenic contamination. She is now survived by her two sons who work in saw-mill and saloon respectively. Laxmi Rani Das is forced to drink and utilize the water from the local tube well being aware that she is consuming poison. She has been complaining of the fact that there had been no Arsenic free water treatment plant for safer water nearby forcing the inhabitants to suffer.

II] SUMITA DAS

(Age: 37 yrs)

Observations:• No external discernible peculiarities observed in her. NOTE:Her level of nutrition is better than most of the other village women, so in spite of consuming arsenic contaminated water for the last 15 years since her marriage she has not been a prey to the contamination.

PATIENTS SURVEYED IN ARIPARA (of Kolsur) I]

PHULJAN BIBI

(Age: 43 yrs)

Observations:• The skin of the fingers has black patches – a condition of melanosis. • The fingers are slightly distorted in nature. • Some white pigmentation is visible on the palms - indicating the condition of Leucomelanosis. • Loss of appetite. • The patient has burning sensation in the affected parts. • The patient experiences frequent abdominal pain and spurts of diarrhea.

Figure shows palm of Phuljan Bibi

II]

MOHAMMED UJIR ALI SARDAR

(Age: 50yrs)

Observations:-

• The patient proclaimed himself to be affected by Arsenic contamination and claimed to bear signs of keratosis and melanosis but he was reluctant to show his affected marks.

NOTE:Phuljan Bibi and her husband Mohammed Ujir Ali Sardar has been detected to have been affected by Arsenic contamination for the last 10-12 years to a large extent and they are well aware of the fact that water used for drinking and cooking purposes is the reason behind the grave concern. Phuljan Bibi told she utilized water from the ponds for cooking purposes and water from the treatment plant for drinking purposes in her family. Mohammed Ujir Ali Sardar is a cycle van puller and the socio-economic condition of the family is extremely poor to meet both ends meet.

III] GULNAHAR BIBI

(Age: 30-35 yrs)

Observations:• • • • •

Symptoms of Leucomelanosis and melanosis observed. Loss of appetite. Feeling of general weakness. Indigestion present. Pain in the joints.

NOTE:She has been suffering from arsenic pollution since the last 15 years and the effects of arsenic contamination have been manifested due to her intake of food of lower nutritional value.

CONCLUSIONS After a thorough survey of the Deganga Block of North 24-Parganas it has been observed that the region the inhabitants are well aware of the Arsenic Pollution in the region and the acute and chronic effect of the contamination on their health due to continuous exposure. At least 170 people has died in entire North 24=Parganas Dist. Due to Arsenic related complications , but nothing significant work has been done to mitigate the problem. There is only one Arsenic Treatment Plant (ARP) in the region which is made to cater to the needs of all the inhabitants of the region. The Plant actually fails to supply pure potable water to the vast population. Though the villagers are well aware of the enormity of the Arsenic Pollution in the region, they find it considerably difficult to fetch water from the Plant from their distant houses situated about 1 K.M or more from the Plant. Most villagers of Kolsur and Aripara have been observed to utilize the water from nearby contaminated tube wells for drinking and cooking purposes. It has been found scientifically that the only viable remedy to curb the Arsenic pollution outburst is to discontinue the The Arsenic Treatment Plant in the region usage of Arsenic contaminated water. It has been found during the survey that Ujjwal Ghosh who has been a permanent resident of the region had contaminated the pollution and showed signs of melanosis and keratosis, but recently he has migrated to Kerala and by avoiding arsenic contaminated water he has escaped from the pollution and has started showing signs of recovery revealed by the whitening of the black spots of keratosis. At present the person is showing signs of Leucomelanosis- a stage of recovery. According to the villagers the local Panchayet authorities are aware that the tube wells are discharging arsenic contaminated water and the filters of the Arsenic Treatment Plants are not functional but no significant steps has been mitigated for their safety.

Also it has been revealed during the survey that the nutritional level of the individual is related to the subject’s resistance to the effects of contamination. As most of the villagers are extremely poor and live hand mouth, the effects of the Arsenic pollution are vividly revealed in patients like Kamala Mandal, Sandhya Rani Ghosh, Laxmi Rani Das, Phuljan Bibi and others. The ill effects of the contamination can be surmounted if the villagers

Vast tracts of water bodies in the region

can be encouraged in utilizing the vast tracts of surface water of the adjoining ponds and canals for everyday use of cooking and drinking purposes and planned utilization of rainwater for harvesting of crops and for everyday uses are encouraged. To combat the present arsenic crisis, we urgently need the following: • The mouths of the safe tube wells must be colored green and the unsafe ones red so that the villagers can use green tube wells for drinking and cooking, and red tube wells for bathing, washing, toilet, etc.The safe tube wells should be tested for arsenic every 3–6 months. Change of drinking habits and source of drinking water is the chief tool to combating arsenic problem. People in the arsenic affected areas must be made aware of the hazards of drinking contaminated water.

A tube well without any warning markings

• If alternate source with safe water is not available, treated water may be used. Sedimentation of contaminated water over night and treatment of contaminated water with copper sulphate (fitkari) can remove arsenic. Boiling of water is to be avoided as this converts organic forms into inorganic forms which are comparatively more harmful. • Abstraction of groundwater for irrigation purposes must be regulated. Immediate development of surface water and conjunctive use of surface and ground water must be ensured. To combat the situation watershed management, finding alternate source of drinking water and awareness campaigns at grassroots level are needed urgently. • Disposal of the arsenic waste must be done very carefully. If the arsenic water is randomly disposed; it can create further havoc by contaminating water sources. The sediment-rich water left at the bottom of the sedimentation or flocculation processing container should be poured into cow dung, leaves of arum plant, water hyacinth, cabbage, etc for detoxification (arsenic is converted into methyl acid, and then evaporates off. • It is well established that shallow tube wells in arsenic contaminated areas may not be safe. It is also observed that in the Gangetic plain As contamination in hand tube wells has been observed to decrease after a certain depth but in unconfined aquifers there appears to be no depth guarantee, even if the construction of tube well is done properly. Deep tube wells (>150m) may not always provide safe source of drinking water. Safety of deep tube wells depends on several factors: 1) construction of the deep tube well, 2) depth of the deep tube well 3) presence of confined aquifer, and 4) the aquifer should be under a thick clay barrier. (Chakraborti et.al, 2003)  In many states of India and southern parts of Bangladesh, the harvesting of rainwater is still a common practice. In present scenario if rainwater is harvested through clean roof top collection into storage tanks, and precautions are taken against bacterial contamination, the stored rainwater can be used for at least 4-5 months per year. In arsenic affected areas of Thailand this is a common practice. The rain water thus collected can be used for agriculture, for cooking and drinking.

 With proper treatment against bacterial and other contaminations and proper management of available surface water may hold the key to safe potable water for the inhabitants of the region where per capita available surface water is huge from the adjoining ponds and canals.  The water of the canal can be directly used for irrigation instead of tube wells.  The number of Arsenic Treatment Plants should be increased and measures should be taken that the kits remain functional throughout the year.  As there is no available medicine for chronic arsenic toxicity; safe water, nutritious food, vitamins and physical exercise are the only preventive measures to fight the chronic arsenic toxicity. Plenty of seasonal fruits and vegetables, which are very cheap, are available in arsenic affected villages around the GMB plain round the year. A large percentage of villagers are not aware that they can get better nutrition from local fruits and vegetables. They have to be trained how they can get nutritious food using cheap local fruits and vegetables. Cooking also destroys essential nutrients in vegetables and fruits, so the villagers should be encouraged to consume fresh vegetables and pulses.  Through community development the villagers need to be properly educated about: a) the danger of arsenic in drinking water b) the necessity of arsenic safe water c) the options at hand and finding a viable option amongst them d) explaining in simple way how the process works with help of diagrams without technical jargons e) Importance of periodical checking of treated water for arsenic. f) Social mobilization through discussions g) Equality in Gender participation h) Improve the community’s understanding about the participatory approach i) An agreement with the community to share the expenses. j) Importance of keeping updated on quality of treated water in terms of arsenic and other contaminants as found out from periodical testing. The results of periodical testing may be passed on to the villagers through effective campaigning.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS During our visit to the Deganga Block of North 24 Parganas to have a first hand knowledge of the effect of Arsenic contamination we were tremendously helped by a lot of persons who voluntarily came forward for our cause. We are also thankful to Mr. Ashok Das (a NGO person) who is fighting for the benefit of the affected masses. We are also grateful to Mr.Arunangso Bhattacharya (reporter of Ananda Bazar Patrika) for guiding us and providing valuable inputs on the subject. Finally our thanks go to our professors and college staffs for guiding us to do this field study.