Title arsenicosis – The biggest calamity in West Bengal: A study work on behalf of Swasthya Bhabna Welfare Society

Arsenic contamination of ground water has been found in 136 villages in 17 blocks under 7 districts of West Bengal. A recent survey conducted by a team comprising of specialized doctors, technicians, social workers on behalf of Swasthya Bhabna Welfare Society from 1^st June, 2004 to 30^th September, 2005, has indicated that 106088 people exposed to this contaminated water supply. The population at risk inhabited an area covered by 136 villages in 17 blocks with an average arsenic concentration 0.36 mg/l and a maximum concentration of 2.8 mg/l as revealed from the report of sample study. Most of the tube well water was found to contain arsenic in the form of arsenite and arsenate. Although arsenic contamination in ground water was detected in 9 districts in West Bengal, the arsenic cases were diagnosed clinically. It is estimated that one lakh six thousand eighty eight people in 136 villages are at risk of arsenic toxicity. The study was conducted from village to village through door to door survey followed by organizing clinical camps for identification of 971arsenicosis patients whose participation was voluntary and was taken oral consent for their clinical examination. The present study only indicates that there is arsenic problem in the remote village of West Bengal. The problem of arsenic in ground water is prevalent in vast areas of West Bengal putting millions of people living in those areas at risk of arsenicosis. This is a great public health problem which has been accepted as a calamity. The problem is reversible and certain definitive measures must be taken for its prevention without wasting of time.