Arsenic Risk In Pakistan – Water Unsafe For 60 Million Pakistanis

Last month, a report published in the academic journal Science Advances revealed that as many as 60 million Pakistanis are at risk of arsenic poisoning due to the consumption of contaminated groundwater.

The report was based on samples collected from 1,200 wells across the country which estimated that the amount of arsenic in the groundwater of  several cities along the Indus River and its tributaries, including Gujranwala, Kasur, Lahore, Multan, Sheikhupura and around Hyderabad is over 200 micrograms per litre.

This concentration is far higher than the World Health Organisation’s  recommended threshold, which is less than 10 micrograms per litre and the Pakistan Government’s limit of 50 micrograms per litre.it is believed that unregulated and heavy use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, raw sewage irrigation and improper disposal of industrial effluents into water channels all contributed to the  increase of toxins and arsenic in groundwater in these areas.

The report raises some serious concerns because the water is being consumed by most people, and is also used for cooking and irrigation; because arsenic is a colourless, tasteless and odourless semi-metallic element, it makes it difficult for people to detect its presence.

The consumption of arsenic can cause a public health crisis, as people who drink water that contains this chemical for a

Long period of time are likely to develop serious illnesses including skin, lung, liver and kidney cancer and cardiovascular diseases.

Experts are of the opinion that the water which has high levels of arsenic should not be consumed until it is treated. In order to remove arsenic from water, scientists recommend that it should be treated via distillation or reverse osmosis. However, for reverse osmosis to be effective, it is important that the water is pre-treated through chlorination or oxidation.

In addition to these treatments, a  general public awareness campaign should also be launched in the affected areas, and people who live there should be urged to use boiled water for drinking and cooking.

Furthermore, medical professionals should be trained to detect the symptoms of arsenic poisoning (which include skin rashes, vomiting and diarrhea) so they can treat their patients effectively.

By Madiha Akhtar

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