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Argentina:
Arsenic contamination was detected in Argentina as early as the beginning
of the country. Possibly it was the first detection of Arsenic pollution
in the world. Research on Arsenic began in Argentina in 1938. The disease
caused by Arsenic poisoning was known in the country as 'Bell will
Disease'. In eastern and central Argentina, 0.1-2.0 Milligram Arsenic was
found in every litter of groundwater. The source of composition polluting
the shallow well water. The deeper well water and the surface water showed
almost Novell of Arsenic. Some 20000 people in Argentina suffered not take
a severe shape as the number of affected people were less and essential
cautionary measures were taken.
Mexico:
Some 127,000 people in 11 counties of Northern Mexico have been drinking
Arsenic contaminated water. Every litter water of the area is contaminated
by 0.1-0.5 milligram Arsenic. High concentration of Arsenic in groundwater
was first detected in 1963. People of the country have been suffering from
various diseases including cancer for drinking the contaminated water.
Chile:
Arsenic contamination in water was first detected in 1957 in a province of
Chile. And the first Arsenic patient was found in 1962. Later almost all
the diseases caused by Arsenic were found in human bodies through various
researches. From 1957-69 people of that province took drinking water
containing Arsenic 0.8-1.3 mg/l liter by setting up a water treatment
plantain 1970. But many people embraced death due to drinking Arsenic
contaminated water since 1957. Arsenic was blamed for seven percent of
total deaths in Chile from 1989 to 93.
USA:
Arsenic was found in groundwater throughout USA though the concentration
is low. About 3 million people of the country are drinking Arsenic
contaminated water. 0.045-mg/liter Arsenic was found in one of the county
of California's groundwater while 0.092 mg/liter in two counties of
Nevada. A survey commutations and neurological abnormalities. A recent
research has shown increased risk of bladder cancer at very low levels of
Arsenic exposure in some group.
Taiwan:
The Arsenic contamination in Taiwan was reported since 1968. A disease
called 'black foot disease' spread in the county massively. Later it was
known that the cause of the disease was Arsenic received through
contaminated tube-well water. Water of 83000 tube-wells was annualized and
0.05 mg/liter Arsenic was found in 19 percent of the tube-wells. A water
treatment plant was established in 1956. Supply of safe drinking water was
able in 90 year of 1979. But every year new Arsenic patients are found as
they drank Arsenic contaminated water earlier. At present, some 100,000
people are suffering from Arsenic problem.
Mongolia:
The attack in Mongolia was in two ways. Flurried was also found in water
along with Arsenic. Fluride was detected earlier in 1962. The first
Arsenic patient was found in Mongolia in 1988. A survey conducted in 1989
revealed that some 300,000 people of 627 villages of 11 counties were
taking Arsenic contaminated water. Of them, 1774 were identified as
Arsenic patients. Arsenic concentration above 0.05 mg/liter was detected
in 90 percent tube-wells of Mongolia. It is thought that the problems
arose due to continue irrigation for agriculture by ground water in arid
region. Several stapes have been taken to ensure supply of safe drinking
water in the county. However, for financial constraints and because
affected areas are widely scattered over a vast land, there is a long way
to go before a satisfactory solution is reached.
Thailand:
The first Arsenic patient was found in Thailand in 1987. Some 18000 people
of the country live under Arsenic threat. The situation is worst in
Ronpibul district of Srithammarat province. In some places Arsenic was
found even 5.0 milligram in every Arsenic contamination. A survey found
that more than 1500 people with proven skin cancer. The country is trying
to prevent Arsenic pollution through a community since 1993. Besides, safe
drinking water supply plants are also being installed.
The
Philippines: Presence of Arsenic was found in human bodies
living of both sides of Matingao and Marbol rivers after a Geothermal
power plant was set up of Mt. APO in 1992. The Geothermal plant is
suspected as the cause of Arsenic contamination. The state- own Philippine
national oil company, which installed the plan, has taken measures such as
the installation of small water- supply system at various point of the
affected area. A total of 39 Arsenic patients were detected in the
affected area in September 1995.
China:
First Arsenic patient was found in a province of china in 1953. Medical
surveys began in 1964. In 1992, about 3000 Arsenic patients ware
identified. Another survey conducted in 1991 -93 examined 9202 people and
found 1545 suffering from Arsenicism. Of them, 88 percent received Arsenic
from foods while 7 percent from water and 5 percent from water and 5
percent from air. In China, use of coal as fuel is considered ad the main
reason o Arsenic contamination. Some coal contains high Arsenic. Besides,
news of fluoride contamination was also reported in the country.
Japan:
In Japan, Arsenic contamination was detected in water and air of two
villages- Turoko and Matsu. It was proved that the two villages were
affected by Arsenic for 50 years a total of 217 Arsenic patients were
found in the two villages in 1995. Metal and coalmines are the sources of
Arsenic pollution in the villages. The affected people sued the mine
authorities and were compensated.
New Zealand:
Presence of high level of Arsenic was found in several places of New
Zealand recently. Research is of in this regard.
India:
West Bengal is the most affected state of India. So far, High
concentration of Arsenic was detected in 8 districts of the state. As a
result, 40 million people of the districts covering 38000 square kilometer
are now at risk School of Environmental Studies (SOES) of Jadavpur
University in Calcutta conducted a survey in the affected areas for the
last 10 years. If identified 863 villages of the eight districts where
Groundwater contains Arsenic more than the maximum permissible limit (
0.05 mg/I). According to the SOES, 1.5 million people of the villages are
taking Arsenic affected districts in West Bengal are: Malda, Murshidabad ,
Ndia, Bardhawan, North and South 24 Pargans, Hawra and Hoogli.
In
West Bengal Arsenic contamination in ground water was first detected in
1978. That pollution after analyzing water samples of Nadia and North 24
paragons in 1981. And the first Arsenic patient was found in West Bengal
in 1983. A villager of Gangarampur in South 24 paragons came to physicians
with infection in hands and legs in July, 1983. doctors report said that
he had been suffering from Arsenicosis.
More
Arsenic contaminated areas were found as surveys and research on the
matter continues for about a decade. At the same time, number of Arsenic
of Arsenic patients and people at risk also increased. Statistics till
January, 1995 had revealed that 312 villages in 6 districts were affected.
After one year the number revised to 560 villages in 7 districts. Later it
said at 830 villages in 8 districts. The latest statistics said 863
villages in the 8 districts have been affected severely by Arsenic.
SOES,
so far, analyzed water samples of 40000 tube-wells in the Arsenic affected
villages of West Bengal. About 37 percent of these samples have (0.05
mg/l). Arsenic more than the WHO recommended value (0.01mg/l) was present
in 58 percent of the tube-wells. Of the analyzed samples, the maximum
concentration of Arsenic has been recorded at 3.7 mg/l which is 370 times
higher than the WHO recommended value. Apart from water, the SOES also
analyzed 7135 samples of hair, 7381 of nail, 9295 of urine and 165 of
skin-scales and found high level of Arsenic in most of the samples.
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