Arsenic Contamination in Bangladesh’s Groundwater Worsens

Arsenic concentrations in the groundwater of 12 districts surrounding Dhaka, Bangladesh, have severely exceeded safety standards, with levels in some areas more than 15 times the limit, affecting over 1.1 million people. A combination of natural geological factors and the infiltration of industrial wastewater has led to the continuous expansion of arsenic contamination in groundwater. Local residents who have long consumed arsenic-contaminated water commonly exhibit symptoms such as skin pigmentation and keratinization. The incidence of serious conditions—including skin cancer and liver and kidney damage—far exceeds the national average, and children also suffer from developmental delays.