PANCHAGARH. June 5: The presence of arsenic beyond permissible limit has been detected in ground water at the frontier areas of different districts in northern region, reports UNB.

This has been revealed in separate survey conducted by Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) and Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE) in 37 thanas of frontier districts in Rajshahi and Khulna divisions.

The survey found 10-11 microgram arsenic, which is harmful to health, in the ground water at frontier areas of Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Nil-phamari, Panchagarh, Dina-jpur. Chapainawabganj and Rajshahi.

As per the recommendation of World Health Organisation. tKe highest acceptable limit of arsenic in water is 0.05 microgram which can be used by the people of Bangladesh.

An expert said about half of

the population of the country is now at risk of arsenic contamination adding that arsenic beyond permissible limit has been detected in waters of 10.405 tubewells of 200 thanas in 64 districts.

DPHE officials said there are only three laboratories in the country to test the arsenic contamination. These are at the Science Laboratory and Atomic Energy Commission and another one at Plasma Plus Laboratory.

The poor people of the country cannot afford to test water of their tubewells individually. Besides, one has to pay Tk 2,000 for the test whether he is affected by the arsenic contamination.

At the initial stage arsenic attacks the palm and foot of a man and after attacking his lungs, liver and kidney causes cancer, a physician said.

The leaders urged the government to take necessary steps to save the people from arsenic contamination.