Arsenic – The Silent Killer And Our Silence

Share it

By Abid Imtiaz

Word about Arsenic

Arsenic is a chemical element with the symbol As and atomic number 33 in the periodic table and forms colorless, odorless and tasteless solution when dissolved in water.Arsenates are a major source of arsenic contamination of ground water in regions with high levels of naturally occurring arsenic minerals. It is found in the Earth’s crust (the solid outer layer that we live on). Primary source of Arsenic in the environment is its geogenic release from Arsenic enriched minerals. Volcanic eruptions and other natural processes cause dissolution of Arsenic compounds, absorbed into water. Arsenic and its compounds are widely used in agriculture, livestock feed, medicine, electronics, metallurgy, chemical warfare agents etc. Arsenic is of importance in terms of environmental issues and health impacts (www.sciencedirect.com).

Arsenic king of poisons

Arsenic has a complex and secret history, as early as 500 B.C. People knew about arsenic and through centuries this “King of Poisons” was a means of secret killing in Greek aristocracy and even Kings. History also reflects that in imperial China, arsenic trioxide and sulfides were used in murder, as well as for death punishment for members of the royal families. Arsenic was also a preferred way for murder in Italy during middleAges (fifth century) and Renaissance period (14-16 century), particularly among the ruling classes. Because the symptoms are similar to those of vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea which was common at that time therefore, arsenic poisoning often went undetected. By the 19th century, Arsenic got the nickname “Inheritance Powder”,impatient and greedy heirs were suspected to use it to ensure or accelerate their inheritances. It was also a common murder technique in the 19th century in domestic violence situations commonly known as “putting arsenic in coffee”. Murderers were not caught as Arsenic is odorless, colorless and tasteless solution, these characteristics are also the cause of groundwater usage without any seeming detection.

Arsenic in Sub-Continent

Pakistan, India and Bangladesh are located in the same region of subcontinent and share common heritage of water resources and similar geological conditions. Moreover they also share Himalayan Mountains as the source of mostly all rivers flowing in these countries. Presence of Arsenic level above World Health Organization (WHO) range is very prominent in Indus basin in Pakistan and Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna basin in India/Bangladesh where most of the population of these countries live and cultivate large swaths of land. It is estimated that about 70-80 million population affected by high Arsenic value in India and about 60 million people living in Pakistan. Situation in Bangladesh isalso alarming and not different about 20-57 million people affected (Geoscience Frontiers Journal vol 12 issue 3 May 2021, www.ScienceDirect.com/science/article). High levels of Arsenic in Pakistan groundwater aquifer has been studied and analyzed in year 1999 by Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) in detail to become a whistle blower.

Magnitude of Problem

Arsenic contamination of ground water is extensive in the world and there are number of regions where arsenic contamination of drinking-water is noteworthy. In 108 countries with 230 million of population are at risk of exposure to elevated arsenic concentrations in ground water as of WHO standards. Analysis and studies also revealed about 180 million population of Asia is affected by higher values of Arsenic (Geoscience Frontiers Journal).

Sources of Arsenic in ground water

Apart from the natural geological occurrence, arsenic contamination of water and soil may result from human activities due to disposal of industrial waste, smelting of arsenic bearing minerals, burning of fossil fuels, and application of arsenic compounds in many products through use of insecticides, herbicides, phosphate fertilizers and semiconductor industries. Mixing of untreated Industrial waste in rivers and canals is one of the reason of polluting ground water. The most prominent are the poisonous untreated waste water of Hudiara Drain, Fazilka Drain, Salimshah Drain and Kasur Nala flowingfrom Indian eastern Punjab and crossing the fertile land of districts Lahore, Kasur, Okara and adjoining areas by discharging waste in River Ravi and Sutlej. Subsequently mixed with Indus River water system. It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan is bound to let allow this poisonous untreated waste water in River Ravi and Sutlej under Indus Waters Treaty(Article III of Treaty document, www.treaties.un.org) between Pakistan and India. This treaty is revoked by India in April 2025 on the plea of self-declared responsibility of terrorist attack in Pahalgam (Indian occupied Kashmir) on Pakistan. Health/Food chain Issues

Arsenic is colorless, odorless and tasteless when in solution form, therefore user have no idea of intake and resultantly suffer from multiple diseases. It is one of the main reasonin both Urban/Rural areas that the diseases like diabetics, hypertension, renal failure/stones and skin diseases cardiovascular problems are on the rise with high level of Arsenic in drinking groundwater. Presence of high level Arsenic in food chain especially in rice /fish will create both health and export problems.

Studies on Arsenic in Ground Water

In 1999, Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) discovered higherlevels of arsenic in Pakistan groundwater. Following initial discovery of arsenic presence, PCRWR had undertaken various studies during 1999-2021(www.pcrwr.gov.pk) to assess the spectrum of groundwater regarding arsenic contamination. A report ‘National Threat of Arsenic in Groundwater’ published in 2023 pointed out the dangers of Arsenic in groundwater. The results are shown on GIS mapping prepared by PCRWR due to this about 15 to 20% of the samples contain Arsenic above WHO standards with districts of Shiekhupura, Lahore, Kasur, Okara, Sahiwal, Jhang, Vehari, Multan, Bahawalpur,Matiari, Dadu, Badin, Thattha ,Khairpur, Hyderabad and TandoAllahyar are severely affected. During years 2013-15 with foreign donors and Pakistan Higher Education Commission ground water samples were taken and the results mapped. In year 2017 findings were published in Science Advances Journal/WHO titled “Extensive arsenic contamination in high pH unconfined aquifers in Indus Valley”. It revealed that around 50 to 60 million people in Pakistan are at Arsenic risk (>10 micrograms per liter) as WHO limit is 10 micrograms/litre. Eye-opening findings was Lahore, Bahawalpur, Hyderabad ,Badin, Dadu , Khairpur districts as hotspots of increased Arsenic level detrimental to health.

Importance of Surface Water

As discussed that one of the reason of mixing Arsenic with ground water is excessive extraction of ground water and its usage in rural areas through water wells , motor pumps and hand pumps etc. Ground water table is decreasing 1 meter per year as estimated in different researches in Urban areas. The situation will going to aggravate with the population explosion in Pakistan, with low recharge of ground water and abrupt Climate changes. Pakistan has extensive and one of the largest Canal system with almost no higher Arsenic presence in water. Moreover, canals having coverage of almost all hotspots areas contaminated with Arsenic.

Preventive Measures

The most important action in affected communities is the prevention of further exposure to arsenic by the provision of a safe water supply for drinking, food preparation and irrigation of food crops. There are a number of options to reduce levels of arsenic in drinking-water based on environment and geographical conditions. Option of using rainwater and surface water in very high Arsenic groundwater areas. Low-arsenic water can be used for drinking, cooking and irrigation purposes, whereas high-arsenic water can be used for other purposes such as bathing and washing clothes. Installing arsenic removal systems either centralized or domestic and ensure the suitable disposal of the removed arsenic. There is an increasing number of effective and low-cost options for removing arsenic from small or household supplies. High-risk populations should also be monitored for early signs of arsenic poisoning. Most important National policy on control of Arsenic in drinking water be chalked out /reviewed for combatting this silent and stealth killer.

Conclusion

Mostly in the rural areas ( 62% as 2023 population census) people drink water from motor pumps, hand pumps, wells etc and are mostly unaware of Arsenic and its negative health effects. Though Public Health Engineering Departments, WASAs and Safe Water Authorities in provinces are providing safe tap water but their coverage is limited keeping in view the 242 million of Pakistan population. Policy makers though are making efforts in providing safe drinking water, however, long term measures to protect our present and future generations from water borne diseases is somewhere missing. Heath effects of taking high level of Arsenic in drinking water are so dangerous that is why it causes slow poising in body unaware. Thousands of adults and young patients visits hospital/clinics in Pakistan with complaints of diabetics, hypertension, renal failure/stones, skin diseases heart disease and spending billions of hard earned money without knowing the Silent killer. Pakistan as a young nation cannot develop with a hospitalized youth. This monster as a Silent Killer in our drinking water must be confronted at all levels otherwise this will silence our national health.