What Have Been The Impacts Of Water In Bangladesh Being Contaminated With Arsenic?

The (naturally) arsenic-laced ground water has had profound impacts.

People are mostly exposed by drinking the water, and from eating crops that have been irrigated with arsenic-laden water.

Arsenic poisoning happens slowly, often over decades. It leads to skin lesions, a variety of cancers (potentially fatal), and blood vessel disorders. It may also contribute to the development of high blood pressure, Type II diabetes and reproductive problems.

As if that wasn't bad enough for the people stuck with this poisonous water, agriculture and their economy has been hit, too. Crop productivity and quality have declined because of the high soil contamination. This means that more land has to be farmed to make the same amount of food -- leading to all the possible environmental problems associated with intensive farming. This situation will eventually impact both the national and international economy. Already in some places, some crops cannot be sold due to contamination, leading to local hardship.

There are no effective treatments for chronic arsenic poisoning that has already occurred in the body or on the land. The most effective and important measure is to reduce future exposure.

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