Recent surveys show that about 80 million people of the country are living under the risk of arsenic poisoning as the groundwater of a vast region is contaminated with arsenic. Arsenic pollution is not only causing serious health hazards, but also affecting the environment and creating social problems. More than two million tube-wells are presently being used as the source of drinking water in Bangladesh. Out of those, only fifty thousands have so far been brought under inspection by various government and non-government agencies. The actual picture of the severity of arsenic pollution is yet to

be revealed, as the entire country could not be surveyed till now.

Arsenic pollution has been creating serious social problems. The affected people have virtually become isolated from the society as nobody wants to keep any social contact with them. Nobody wants to marry any affected person. Some affected housewives were divorced by their husbands. Affected school children are not allowed to attend classes. Due to ignorance, the villagers consider the disease as curse of nature. Arsenic pollution is now considered as a great threat to the future generation. Bangladesh has become the most vulnerable place with regards to arsenic pollution. So, this is the high time to make people aware of the problem and take steps to combat it . Otherwise, nothing can stop this silent killer.

Tanha Kashfia Kate Uttara Model Town

Dhaka