Arsenicosis: A Health Problem In Bangladesh

Edie-in-Chief

North East Medical Journal

Introduction: Arsenic is known to men since 400-500 BC, the word arsenic came from the Latin word “Arsenicum”. It’s a gray appearing metalloid with a symbol of As’ and atomic number 13. As is found everywhere in the environment. It is widely distributed in air, water, soil, rocks and earth crat. Previously it was known to people for its therapeutic use (Psoriasis. Asthma, Leukaemia, Syphilis etc.) and people also used it for slow poisoning. In present days it is also used for treatient of some diseases like Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia Trypenosomiasis and widely used in Homeopathic medicine. Beside therapeutic use Arsenic is also used as wood preservative, industrial chemical, poison etc but now a day’s people know about arsenic because of its toxicity Arsenic is available both in organic and morganic form. People are exposed to arsenic through inhalation, contact with skin and imgestion (through food and water) but in our country people are widely affected by ingestion of arsenic. In recent years, the presence of high level of arsenic in groundwater has drawn attention. There are various hypothesis to explam the possible cause of arsenic contamination of ground water in Bangladesh but most scientist have settled down to two hypothesis those are oxidation bypothesis (Oxidation of arsenopyrite pr arsenic-rich pyrite minerals) and reduction hypothesis (Reduction of arsenic-rich iron-oxyhydroxides) Bangladesh, one of the densely populated country in the world, is beset by natural disaster and also outbreak of infectious diseases (malaria, dengu fever,etc). Arsenic hazard in Bangladeshi people now appeared as a ‘real disaster, affecting millions physically, mentally, economically and socially, with its major effects among the poor villagers.

Acceptable level of “As’: World Health Organization provisionally recommended acceptable level of “As’ in drinking water in 1958 as 20mu*g / L then in 1963 WHO set the standard at 50mu*g / L and since 1971 WHO Guideline value for arsenic in drinking is not more than This value (10mu*g / L) has been adopted by many developed countries like USA, Europe, New Zealand 10mu*g / L , and in American countries (like Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile etc). Mexico has adopted 25mu*g / L as a standard, whereas Australia has instituted a standard of 7mu*g / L and in 2006 the State of New Jersey in adopted 5 mu*g / L However many developing countries including Bangladesh have kept their standard at 50mu*g /1..^ 2

Arsenicosis: The health effects of arsenic toxicity is widely Arsenicosis, is a chronic condition arising from prolonged ingestion of arsenic above safe dose for at least six months, usually manifested by characteristic skin lesions of melanosis and or keratosis with or without involvement of internal organs. The first visible symptoms of arsenic poisoning are dark spots on the skin (melanosis), dark and light spots (leuco-melanosis), followed by localised thickening of the skin and the formation of wart-like painful growths or keratosis, ulcers. gangrene and skin cancer. Over a long period of time, drinking of arsenic-contaminated water causes Chronic Effects (Professor Wilson, Havard University, 1999) After a latency of 10 years, skin cancers appear and further consumption for about 29-30years, internal cancers particularly bladder and lung occur (seen in Taiwan and Chilli). The number of cancers apprehended in Bangladesh from the exposure already undergone can be very roughly estimated by using “default” (lower exposure to 50mu*g / L ) the risk is 1%). There are 20,000, 000 to 70. 000, 000 exposed persons at levels between 5mu*g / L – 50mu*g / L health condition, nutritional status, age and life style also play role in developing arsenicosis people may be affected by lower levels of arsenic than others. Young children, the elderly, people with long-term illnesses and unborn babies are at greatest risk of being affected. They can be more sensitive to chemical exposures. Babies are not exposed to arsenic through breast milk at levels of concern even when their mothers have been exposed. But pregnant women pass arsenic to the fetus during pregnancy and babies are born with the same arsenic level in the blood as their mothers, that parental arsenic exposure increase the risk for certain cancers and cardiovascular diseases in later life (Daily Star, June 18. 2014).