Multisystemic disorders, including dermal effects, neurological complications, and adverse obstetric outcomes, were observed to be associated with chronic arsenic exposure in the study population in Murshidabad, West Bengal. The magnitude of severity was related to the concentration of arsenic in water as well as duration of the exposure.

No abstract

Arsenic (As) in the soils of South-Eastern Bangladesh is not only a threat for the health of millions of people but also a problem for plant growth due to its higher concentration in soil. Gmelina arborea Linn. is a promising fast growing tree species in Bangladesh which has also a potential to be planted in arsenic contaminated areas. This study assessed the role of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi on the growth of G. arborea in arsenic amended soils at nursery stage. Before sowing seeds, soils were treated with four different concentrations (10 mg·kg -1 , 25 mg·kg -1 , 50 mg·kg -1 , and 100 mg·kg -1 ) of Arsenic. Growth parameters (length of shoot and root, collar diameter, fresh and dry weight of shoot and root) of the plant, and mycorrhizal root colonization and spore population in the rhizosphere soil of G. arborea were recorded.Mycorrhizal seedlings showed better growth than non-mycorrhizal seedlings. Mycorrhizal seedlings planted in soil with 10-mg⋅kg -1 arsenic showed best performance in terms of growth, biomass and mycorrhizal colonization, compared to other treatments with higher concentration of arsenic. With increasing arsenic concentration, growth of seedlings, mycorrhizal infection rate and spore population, all decreased significantly (p<0.05). The mycorrhizal seedlings had as much as 40%The online version is available at Responsible editor: Zhu Hong higher increment in total growth and 2.4 times higher increment in biomass compared to non-mycorrhizal seedlings. The study clearly indicated that mycorrhizal inoculation could reduce the harmful effects of arsenic on the initial growth of G. arborea Linn. in degraded soil at nursery stage.

A detailed study was carried out in a cluster of villages known as Sagarpara Gram Panchayet (GP), covering an area of 20 km2 and population of 24,419 to determine the status of groundwater arsenic contamination and related health effects. The arsenic analysis of all hand tubewells (n = 565) in working condition showed, 86.2% and 58.8% of them had arsenic above 10, and 50 microgl(-1), respectively. The groundwater samples from all 21 villages in Sagarpara GP contained arsenic above 50 microgl(-1). In our preliminary clinical survey across the 21 villages, 3,302 villagers were examined and 679 among them (20.6%) were registered with arsenical skin lesions. A total of 850 biological samples (hair, nail and urine) were analysed from the affected villages and, on average, 85% of them contained arsenic above the normal level. Thus, many people of Sagarpara might be sub-clinically affected. Our data was compared with the international one to estimate population in Sagarpara GP at risk from arsenical skin lesions and cancer. Proper watershed management and economical utilization of available surface water resources along with the villagers' participation is urgently required to combat the present arsenic crisis.

Comparing our extrapolated data with international dose response results, we estimated how many people may suffer from arsenical skin lesions and cancer. Finally, if the exposed population is provided safe water, better nutrition, and proper awareness about the arsenic problem, lives can be saved and countless suffering of the affected population can be avoided.