Lesions of Death: Bengal’s Unending Battle with Underground Water Contamination

Summary

The script highlights the ongoing arsenic contamination crisis in West Bengal, India, affecting thousands with health issues and death. Despite awareness and efforts to provide arsenic-free water, the problem persists in irrigation and livestock, impacting the food chain. The situation has improved with clean water availability, but challenges remain in remote areas where economic constraints hinder access to clean water. The narrative emphasizes the need for holistic solutions to this slow poisoning affecting lives across the region.

Takeaways

• 🌐 West Bengal's districts have been battling arsenic contamination in groundwater for nearly 35 years.
• 💉 Long-term consumption of arsenic-laden water leads to severe health issues, including pain, suffering, and death.
• 👵 Personal stories, like Safura BB's, illustrate the devastating impact of arsenic on individuals and families.
• 🚰 The issue of arsenic contamination was first reported in the 1980s, linked to tube wells in the Ganges-Brahmaputra Delta Basin.
• 🔍 Overdrawing of groundwater is identified as a possible cause of arsenic mixing with drinking water.
• 🤒 Symptoms of arsenic poisoning include gastrointestinal problems, vomiting, liver disease, and skin issues.
• 🏥 The effects of arsenic poisoning are widespread, affecting numerous districts and causing chronic health conditions.
• 🏫 Schools in affected areas face challenges with arsenic contamination, even in drinking water meant for children.
• 🔬 Jadavpur University has been actively studying and testing water samples to understand the extent of arsenic contamination.
• 🌾 The use of contaminated water for irrigation affects the entire food chain, leading to secondary contamination.
• 🛠 Government efforts to supply arsenic-free water and install removal plants (ARPs) are ongoing but face challenges.
• 💧 Simple solutions like drinking clean water and rainwater harvesting are effective but require more widespread implementation.

Q & A

What is the main issue discussed in the video script?

The main issue discussed is the arsenic contamination in underground water in many districts of West Bengal, India, and its devastating health effects on the local population.

How long has the arsenic contamination problem been ongoing in West Bengal?

The arsenic contamination problem has been ongoing for nearly 35 years in the affected districts of West Bengal.

What are the immediate health effects of consuming arsenic-contaminated water?

The immediate health effects include gastrointestinal problems, vomiting, liver disease, and skin problems such as rough skin and keratosis formations.

What are the long-term effects of arsenic poisoning on the human body?

Long-term effects of arsenic poisoning include painful lesions, which can be debilitating and sometimes turn cancerous, leading to death.

How does arsenic contamination affect the local community's daily life?

Arsenic contamination affects daily life by causing lifelong pain, suffering, and death among community members, as well as impacting their economic profile and access to clean water.

What is the role of the school in the arsenic-contaminated areas regarding water safety?

Schools in arsenic-contaminated areas are affected as children are exposed to arsenic during washing and cleaning, and sometimes through midday meal preparation, even if they do not drink the contaminated water.

What is the permissible limit of arsenic in drinking water according to the script?

The permissible limit of arsenic in drinking water is 10 micrograms per liter.

How has the situation of chronic ailments due to arsenic contamination improved recently?

The situation has improved due to increased awareness and better availability of arsenic-free water in many places.

What are the challenges faced by arsenic removal plants (ARPs) mentioned in the script?

One of the challenges is that the coagulation treatment used for arsenic removal in some ARPs may not be effective, as evidenced by water samples showing arsenic levels four times higher than the recommended value.

What is the solution proposed in the script to mitigate the effects of arsenic contamination?

The solution proposed is to drink clean water over a long time, harness surface water, and implement rainwater harvesting to provide clean alternative sources of water.

Why is the future uncertain for people living in the arsenic belt according to the script?

The future is uncertain because clean alternative sources of water are not yet available everywhere, and the affordability of buying clean water is a question given the economic profile of the people.

Outlines

00:00

💧 The Silent Catastrophe of Arsenic Contamination

This paragraph describes the ongoing crisis of arsenic contamination in West Bengal's groundwater, affecting districts like Malda, Nadia, and South 24 Parganas for nearly 35 years. The script introduces Safura BB, a resident of Dasa Village, who has witnessed the devastating effects of arsenic poisoning, including the loss of family members and widespread health issues. The paragraph also explains that arsenic contamination was first reported in the 1980s and is a result of overdrawing groundwater. The symptoms of arsenic poisoning are outlined, including gastrointestinal problems, liver disease, and skin disorders that can become cancerous. The paragraph emphasizes the slow and painful nature of arsenic poisoning and its long-term impact on the affected communities.

05:02

🌾 The Ripple Effect of Arsenic Poisoning on Communities

The second paragraph delves into the widespread impact of arsenic contamination, highlighting the suffering of families and communities across various districts. Bullu Biswas, a resident of Tagoria Village, shares her story of losing her husband to cancer due to arsenic poisoning. The script also discusses the effects on school children in Haring Gata block, where one hand pump provides contaminated water for washing, and the other, intended for clean drinking water, has been non-functional for three years. The children are at risk of skin problems due to arsenic exposure. Dr. Tariq Roy Choudhury from Jadavpur University's School of Environmental Studies discusses the findings of their research on arsenic contamination in schools and the daily intake of arsenic by children through various means, including midday meal preparation and domestic water consumption.

10:03

🚰 The Struggle for Clean Water and the Path to Recovery

The final paragraph addresses the efforts to combat arsenic contamination, including government initiatives to supply arsenic-free water and install arsenic removal plants (ARPs). However, it also points out the challenges faced by these plants, such as the one at Hinata hospital, which was found to have arsenic levels four times higher than recommended. The paragraph discusses the secondary contamination through the use of contaminated water for irrigation and livestock, affecting the entire food chain. It presents the solution of drinking clean water over time to cure health problems caused by arsenic and mentions the success of rainwater harvesting in Gata block. The script concludes by emphasizing the need for a holistic solution, as the availability and affordability of clean water remain significant challenges for the affected communities.

Keywords

💡Arsenic contamination

Arsenic contamination refers to the presence of arsenic in water, soil, or air at levels exceeding those considered safe for human health. In the context of the video, it is the primary issue affecting the districts of West Bengal, causing severe health problems due to prolonged consumption of contaminated water. The script mentions the districts of Malda, Nadia, and North 24 Parganas as areas where this issue is prevalent.

💡Underground water

Underground water, also known as groundwater, is water located beneath the Earth's surface in the soil pore spaces and fractured rock. The video discusses how arsenic contamination in underground water has been a silent catastrophe in West Bengal, affecting thousands of people who unknowingly consume it.

💡Slow poison

A slow poison is a substance that causes harm or death over a long period of exposure, rather than immediately. In the video, arsenic is described as a slow poison that leads to a lifetime of pain, suffering, and even death, as it accumulates in the body and causes various health issues.

💡Gastrointestinal problems

Gastrointestinal problems refer to a range of issues affecting the digestive system, including the stomach and intestines. The script mentions that arsenic poisoning can lead to acute gastrointestinal problems such as vomiting, which is one of the symptoms of arsenic contamination.

💡Liver disease

Liver disease is a broad term for any abnormal condition of the liver, including liver damage, inflammation, or infection. The video script indicates that liver disease is one of the debilitating health effects of long-term arsenic consumption.

💡Skin problems

Skin problems in the context of the video refer to the visible symptoms of arsenic poisoning, such as rough skin and the formation of keratosis, which are skin growths or lesions. The script describes how these skin issues are often the first indicators of arsenic contamination.

💡Nervous system

The nervous system is a complex network of nerves and cells responsible for transmitting signals between different parts of the body. The video explains that arsenic poisoning can affect the nervous system, leading to various complications.

💡Arsenic removal plants (ARPs)

Arsenic removal plants, or ARPs, are facilities designed to filter out arsenic from contaminated water, making it safe for consumption. The script discusses the installation of ARPs by the government in affected areas, although it also mentions challenges with their effectiveness.

💡Permeable limit

The permissible limit is the maximum concentration of a substance that is considered safe for human exposure, in this case, for arsenic in drinking water. The video mentions that the permissible limit of arsenic in drinking water is 10 micrograms per liter, and some samples collected have exceeded this limit.

💡Irrigation

Irrigation is the artificial application of water to land or soil to assist in the growth of crops. The script highlights that even though the consumption of contaminated water has decreased, it is still used for irrigation, leading to secondary contamination of the food chain.

💡Rainwater harvesting

Rainwater harvesting is the process of collecting and storing rainwater for later use, often for irrigation or as an alternative water source. The video suggests that rainwater harvesting is a potential solution to the arsenic contamination problem, providing a cleaner alternative to contaminated groundwater.

Highlights

West Bengal districts have been battling arsenic contamination in groundwater for nearly 35 years.

Thousands have consumed arsenic-laden water for decades, leading to pain, suffering, and death.

Arsenic contamination was first reported in the 1980s in the Ganga-Brahmaputra Delta Basin.

Overdrawing of groundwater is one possible cause of arsenic mixing with drinking water.

Arsenic's slow poisoning effects have debilitating long-term health impacts.

Victims suffer from gastrointestinal issues, vomiting, liver disease, and skin problems due to arsenic exposure.

Skin lesions, some cancerous, are a common symptom of arsenic poisoning.

Arsenic contamination affects not only individuals but also entire families.

School children are also at risk, with arsenic exposure through water used for washing and midday meal preparation.

Arsenic-contaminated water used for irrigation can affect the entire food chain.

Government efforts include supplying arsenic-free water and installing arsenic removal plants (ARPs).

ARPs have challenges, with some found to still have arsenic levels four times higher than recommended.

Drinking clean water over time can cure health problems caused by arsenic poisoning.

Harnessing surface water and rainwater harvesting are potential solutions to the arsenic crisis.

Clean alternative water sources are not yet universally available, and affordability is a concern.

A holistic and complete solution is urgently needed to address the arsenic contamination issue.

People in arsenic-affected areas live uncertainly, relying on nature's mercy for their future.

Transcripts

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for it is a catastrophe that does not

make head lines

anymore for nearly 35 years many

districts of West Bengal including malda

Nadia mid Abad North 24 paragas South 24

paragas baman have been fighting arsenic

contamination in underground water

thousands of people here have been

consuming arsenic Laden water for a long

time some close to three

decades it is a slow poison that

eventually leads to a lifetime of pain

suffering and in several cases

death safura BB in Dasa Village of

haringa block of Nadya District does not

remember her age she says she could be

80 or more but what she does remember is

that she has had a painful life she has

lost her husband and her Elder son

already and now

her younger son is sick too the reason

complications arising out of consuming

arsenic lead in water for a long

time

spech

fore foreign

arsenic contamination was first reported

in the

1980s tube Wells along the ganga

brahmaputra Delta Basin of West Bal go

have been spewing arsenic for a long

time now one of the possible reasons is

overdrawing of underground water when

arsenic mixes with the drinking water

the results have been debilitating

arsenic being a slow poison has taken

its toll over a long period

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for

for

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Fore fore

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these is a very very slow poisoning but

the acute symptoms are gastro interal

problem vomiting then liver disease and

then if he goes in the skin problem is

there we are normally detecting through

the skin problems because you see there

is a skin being rough there is a cartin

formations and uh there involvement of

the many other system like nervous

system so that the presenting symptom in

many areas for the victims life is

proving to be very tough as arsenic

poisoning grips their body painful

lesions appear all over crippling their

lives some lesions turn cancerous and

result in death This Is marjum Khan

resident of B chatra Village Rani nagar

2 of rid

Abad this is Jalil Saha shahaji Pura

Village of the same block these men are

from Chuck Joan Village names change

locations change but the suffering is a

constant across these districts and

sometimes it is the family that suffers

most this is bullu biswas resident of

tagoria Village of Gata block of North

24 pagna

she lost her husband to cancer a result

of arsenic contamination while she

herself is a victim as well

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this is dandia Nagata pric Vidal in the

fatur village of Haring Gata block Nadya

District Haring Gata block is one of the

worst affected in terms of arsenic

contamination in drinking water and

these school children are not left

untouched either the school has two hand

pumps for water one that is used for

washing and cleaning is contaminated

with arsenic and the other is for clean

drinking water the problem is the one

with clean drinking water has been

defunct for close to 3

years while the children do not consume

the water from the Arsenic Laden pump

their skin is constantly exposed to

arnic raising risks of skin

problems my school location is very

highly affected arenic area my school

has two hand from Mark to and water

supply or government water supply but

the government water supply is totally

Clos

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from our experience uh we were involved

to study with number of schools located

in different arsenic contaminated

districts as well as from the Kolkata

districts we have extensively on this

issue and from our very observation we

have found that uh not only the school

children they they were taking arsenic

contaminated water from their school

tube although that was for a very short

period of time maybe 4 hours or 5 hours

maybe one time or two time they took but

during the washing and other things they

also consumed some amount of AR and

another big concern is midday midday mil

preparation because that that water is

particularly used for Mid preparation

and apart from school timing these

school children where they are located

so that is also in located in Arsenic

contaminated belt so we have tested also

their domestic uh groundwater samples

and we have found so several o

throughout the day from domestic level

from school level uh through drinking

water through rise grain through other

food steps they're consuming a

considerable amount of aring in their

daily life Dr tarit Roy Chri is with the

school of environment studies jadur

University in Kolkata which has been

working on arsenic contamination since

the problem first

surfaced with the help of their

representatives who collected samples

from these districts the water samples

were tested at their labs and this is

what we

found we have analyzed five water

samples among which four water samples

are within the permissible limit of

arsenic in drinking water whereas one of

the water samples that is collected from

the SKU table of noia District Hinata

block is around 37 ppb which is

3.7 times higher than the permissible

limit of Arsenic and drinking water the

permissible limit of Arsenic and

drinking water is 10 microgram per liter

the situation of chronic ailments due to

arsenic contamination has gotten better

in recent times this is is largely due

to awareness and better availability of

arsenic free water at many

places however though the consumption of

this water has come down it still

continues to be used for irrigation and

feeding

livestock these become the secondary

source of contamination with the entire

food chain getting

affected when they use this arsenic

contaminated water for the cultivations

for the irrigations purpose then the the

vegetables the grains they are also

containing the Arsenic and when you are

consuming then this is also affect the

body the government is involved in

efforts of supplying arsenic free water

to remote Villages and installing

arsenic removal plants or Arps at many

places however the Arps have their own

challenges see currently we are standing

at Hinata hospital this is a village

Hospital

and initially government installed this

arsenic removal plant what we call

ARP um nearly 10 12 years ago but see

they are using coagulation treatment for

removal of arsenic huh but recently we

have tested the water and what we have

found that the current arsenic level in

this water is four times higher than the

recommended value of f the solution to

these chronic ailments is rather simple

drinking clean water over a long time

can cure a patient of his health

problems harnessing surface water and

rainwater harvesting is one of the ways

ahead in Gata block of North 24 paragas

kipar sarar has been doing it for a few

years supplying water to nearby areas

victims around this place claim to have

been nearly cured with this simple

remedy it is a simple solution to a

complex problem but challenges remain

clean alternative sources of water are

not yet available everywhere and given

the economic profile of the people

affordability of buying clean water is a

question holistic thorough and complete

solution is the urgent need till that

happens the people along this arsenic

belt live at the mercy of nature unsure

of what the future holds

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