A recent study conducted by Columbia University has unveiled alarming findings regarding arsenic exposure in drinking water, significantly heightening the risk of cardiovascular diseases, including ischaemic heart disease (IHD).
Notably, this risk persists even when arsenic levels remain below the regulatory limit of 10 micrograms per litre (μg/L).
This research is particularly pertinent to Assam, where groundwater arsenic contamination has long posed a public health challenge, affecting a considerable portion of the population.
Data from the Central Ground Water Board reveals that arsenic levels exceeding the safety threshold of 0.01 mg/L have been identified in 19 districts throughout Assam, including Sivasagar, Jorhat, Golaghat, Sonitpur, Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Hailakandi, Karimganj, Cachar, Barpeta, Bongaigaon, Goalpara, Dhubri, Nalbari, Nagaon, Morigaon, Kamrup, Darrang, and Baksa.
This troubling scenario is not confined to Assam; several other Indian states, such as Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal, also grapple with groundwater arsenic contamination.
The study highlights that heart disease risks arise at arsenic exposure levels as low as 5 μg/L, which bears significant implications in India.
In 2015, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) revised permissible arsenic levels in drinking water from 0.05 mg/L to 0.01 mg/L.
Dr. Tamorish Kole, Chair of the Clinical Practice Committee of the International Federation for Emergency Medicine, noted that women exposed to arsenic at or above 5 μg/L for a decade exhibited a markedly elevated risk of ischaemic heart disease, even at levels half the regulatory limits set in India and the U.S.
According to the Integrated Management Information System (IMIS) from the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, India harbours approximately 1,800 arsenic-affected rural habitations, placing around 23.98 lakh individuals at risk.
Among these, West Bengal accounts for the highest number of arsenic-affected habitations (1,218), with Assam following at 290, Bihar at 66, Uttar Pradesh at 39, Karnataka at 9, and Punjab at 178.
Arsenic, a well-documented toxic element, accumulates in the human body predominantly through contaminated drinking water.
Traditionally, health impacts associated with arsenic exposure have been linked to an increased risk of cancers, particularly skin, lung, and bladder cancers.
However, this latest study shifts the focus to cardiovascular health, indicating that the negative effects of arsenic extend beyond oncological concerns, compromising cardiovascular systems in various ways.
Dr. Kole explained that arsenic exposure could lead to cardiovascular diseases through mechanisms such as oxidative stress, inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction.
Over time, these processes can damage blood vessels, promote atherosclerosis, and weaken heart function, heightening the risk of heart disease.
Additionally, a report by a Parliamentary Committee on Research-Based Education and Anusandhan Scenario in Sciences and Related Fields has raised concerns regarding the widespread contamination of groundwater with arsenic, fluoride, and other heavy metals in various states.
The committee asserts that this contamination contributes to numerous serious health issues, including cancer, skin diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes among local populations. Chaired by BJP MP Vivek Thakur, the committee underscored the urgent need for research aimed at eliminating arsenic, fluoride, and heavy metals from groundwater to mitigate associated health risks.
To tackle this public health crisis, the Parliamentary Committee has recommended that the Departments of Science and Technology, Health Research, and Higher Education prioritise and finance research initiatives focused on eradicating these contaminants from groundwater.
The committee emphasised the importance of collaboration among these departments to channel resources toward effective research and deploy technology capable of addressing groundwater contamination in affected regions.
Assam, characterised by elevated arsenic levels in groundwater, stands to gain immensely from targeted research and intervention.
Several districts within the state report arsenic concentrations exceeding safe limits, posing grave health risks to millions dependent on groundwater as their primary drinking source.
The potential long-term health ramifications for these populations could be severe if prompt action is not undertaken to address the root causes of contamination.
This study, alongside the recent Parliamentary Committee report, accentuates the necessity for a comprehensive response to arsenic contamination in India’s groundwater resources.
Possible solutions may involve public awareness campaigns regarding the dangers of arsenic exposure, installation of arsenic filtration systems in affected areas, and promotion of alternative water sources in regions heavily impacted by contamination.
As the correlation between arsenic exposure and cardiovascular disease risk becomes increasingly apparent, it is imperative for policymakers, researchers, and local communities to collaborate effectively in combating this significant public health threat.
Follow us
