A - Groundwater Pollution in Bangladesh (Case Study) Flashcards
What has caused an increase in cancer incidence in Bangladesh?
Naturally occurring arsenic in groundwater.
How many people in Bangladesh are affected by arsenic-contaminated water?
Up to 85 million, according to WHO.
What led Bangladesh to install tube wells?
To provide drinking water free from bacterial contamination.
Why was arsenic contamination initially overlooked in Bangladesh?
Water from tube wells was not tested for arsenic.
What percentage of people drinking arsenic-contaminated water may die from cancer?
One in 10.
When and where were the first arsenic-induced skin lesions identified?
In 1983, in West Bengal, India.
How long after arsenic exposure do skin cancers typically appear?
About 20 years.
What types of cancer are most common due to arsenic poisoning?
Lung, bladder, and skin cancer.
Why is arsenic poisoning particularly dangerous for Bangladeshi adults?
It affects people in their thirties and forties, during productive years.
List one proposed solution to arsenic contamination in Bangladesh.
Concrete water butts for rainwater or a filter system.
Why are tube wells convenient in Bangladesh?
They are easy to sink in soft alluvial soil.
