The detected cases of arsenic poisoning in the country show only the tip of an Iceberg and the government shoukT take immediate measures to find out the cause of the contamination and to treat the affected people

This was said at a discussion meeting In the city organised by the Shlkha-o Sanskrit! Char cha Kendra, a socio cultural or ganisation

Explaining his recent expe rience as regards arsenic af fecled patients In Rajshahi and

Khulna divisions. Dr H A M Nazmul Ahasan. Assistant Professor of Khulna Medical College. said that all the patients he treated send there were many others with similar symptoms like them in their respective areas.

■J am sure that many more people are affected by arsenic poisoning In the country than we arc aware of." Dr Ahasan said adding "It la a ven serious health problem requiring urgent attention."

Arsenic is an ingredient of artificial dyes used in making wall papers, dyeing fabrics, ar-tificial flowers, chalk, preservation of animal skin, disinfectants, weed exterminators and acid. It is also used in some printing where gilt or bronze powder is used. It is an important constituent of many insecticides and fertilizers.

"Repeated use of these may be a factor for the increase of arsenic content in our ground water level,” he said.

In chronic arsenic poisoning, skin lesions usually appear first as diffuse pigmentation of skin with 'raindrop' spots on palms and soles. Prolonged deposition may lead to damage to many vital organs including kidney, liver. Done marrow, heart and peripheral nerves.

Arsenic poisoning has been reported in 21 districts including Chapai Nawabganj. Pabna. Faridpur. Bagerhat and Kush-tia.

"Permissible amount of arsenic in water is .05 mg per one litre of water," said Dr Nazmul Ahasan.

The speakers said that there was an acute shortage of equipment to test shallow tubewell water. Most of the government health workers lack training on how to deal with arsenic poisoning, they said.

They urged the authorities to detect the tubewells with high count of arsenic and to seal those off. advise people to drink water from arsenic-free tubewells. setup new tubewells, introduce new filter devices, inspire farmers to use rain or surface water and identify affected people through doctors, health workers and NGO workers.

Dr S R Mahmud Hasan of GSS, Waheedul Haque of The Daily Star. Prof Zillur Rahman. Santosh Gupta of Sang-bad. JI Mamun of Bhorer Kagoj and Prof Mostafa Nurul Islam also addressed the meeting.

The meeting formed a six-members committee to create awareness among the people about arsenic contamination of water and to create pressure on the government to take appropriate steps immediately.

Nazim Mahmud was made coordinator of the committee. Other members are Shafi Ahmed, a teacher at the JU. Santosh Gupta, M Hamid, a TV Producer and JI Mamun.