Organised by the Brac University recently, the discussion on 'Arsenic problem and mitigation strategies' explored ways and means to reduce arsenic level in drinking water.

The speakers said the arsenic removal technologies, both chemical and non-chemical options, have different uses in different places.

The ponds-sand-filter (PSF) is popular in some places whereas during trial runs PSF turned out to be unpopular due to odour and lack of appropriate ponds required for the technology, they added.

The participants also discussed problems of rain-water-harvesting which has much merit but not ideal for use throughout the year due to lack of rain during the dry season.

Regarding chemical technologies to remove arsenic from hand-pumped tubewells, the speakers said that not all home-based arsenic removal plants have been approved but those approved for use have been given provisional certificate to evaluate further queries on their use.

Professor Jeffrey D Sachs, director of Earth Institute at Columbia University, USA, facilitated the discussion.

He asked if there is any realistic arsenic mitigation plan for the entire country.

He also offered financial as well as technical support to mitigate arsenic problem.

Professor Alexander Van Geen of Columbia University and Professor Firoz Ahmed of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology gave a power-point presentation on the scale of the arsenic problem.

Abdul Muyeed Choudhury, executive director of Brac, and representatives from NGOs took part in the discussion, with Dr Salehuddin Ahmed, treasurer of Brac University, in the chair.