Date:   9/3/2007 11:27:16 AM ( 17 y ago)
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URL:   https://www.curezone.org/forums/fm.asp?i=956015

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Arsenic levels rising in water supplies through man induced runoff from denuding land, or pollution is not the only issue...

From:
http://thimmakka.org/Newsletters/Newsletter4/bangladesh_arsenic.html

Toxic soup: What is causing the poisoning?

While the symptoms in the Bangladeshi population have been linked to arsenic only, they may be caused by a host of other chemicals. Toxins like lead, mercury, cyanide, dioxins, pesticides and agrochemical waste are present in the region's groundwater, but there has been no testing of the groundwater for anything other than arsenic. Many of these substances are carcinogenic, developmental, reproductive and/or neurological toxins, sometimes more damaging to the human body and the environment than arsenic.

Investigations of lead and cadmium in the blood of children around Dhaka have revealed high levels of these toxins in every child tested. It is disturbing that in a discussion about a public health crisis that rivals the AIDS epidemic in its proportions, most of the effort and money is being focused on only one possible cause of the crisis.

Arsenic and water: what are the safe levels?

Arsenic occurs in groundwater in the U.S. in states like California, Arizona and Nevada, and there is considerable debate as to what safe levels of arsenic in drinking water should be. In many cases where groundwater becomes unpotable, the culprit is often pollution from agricultural, municipal and industrial activities. The New Delhi-based Center for Science and Environment has carefully documented examples of the effects of industrial pollution on groundwater and surface water supplies. In Gujarat, the Nandesari Industrial Estate discharges cyanide and arsenic in its waste, and stores arsenic, cyanide and heavy metals in landfills. These chemicals have so contaminated the region's groundwater that it is unsuitable even for agricultural use. Related arsenic poisonings have been documented in nearby communities and lead found in groundwater was 750 times higher than the allowable limits.

No pollution regulations

1172 industrial plants in Bangladesh have been identified as heavy polluters. The tanneries of Hazaribagh alone dump 15,000 cubic meters of pollutants per day, while other industrial units release 3,500 cubic meters of waste per day. The World Bank and the Bangladeshi government reports recognize that much of this waste is untreated, and environmental protection regulations are weak, or nonexistent. Numerous factories have also been known to inject untreated effluents directly into the ground, which contaminates the groundwater. Heavy metals and toxins can enter the environment from smelting, pharmaceutical, agrochemicals, petrochemicals, and fertilizer manufacturing which have been the focus of industrial development in Bangladesh. Despite the fact that Buriganga and Sitalakhya Rivers have become chemical waste depositories, no treatment plant has been established in the area to possibly mitigate industrial effluents and no punitive action has been taken against the identified polluters. The fact that deeper tubewells are virtually arsenic free reinforces the need to investigate other causes of the sickness.

End article quote:

While people waste time trying to figure it out, debate the issues, point fingers, and argue about who is at fault and who is financially responsible, people are suffering and dying in droves... it seems to be the way of things.
 

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