Arsenic-contaminated irrigation water produces toxic crops
Study reveals
DU Correspondent
Crops produced by arsenic-contaminated irrigation water accumulate toxic element, and when these contaminated foods are taken, human body becomes sick, said a study yesterday. The study titled 'Arsenic poisoning in the food chain and its remedial possibilities' was presented as second dean lecture by Prof S M Imamul Haq of Dhaka University at the Teachers Students Centre auditorium. The study also showed that rice and other food grains like arum, green papaya, bean, potato, bitter gourd, aubergine and chilli cooked in contaminated water also contain substantial amount of arsenic. Prof Imamul said around 19 percent of the total population consume excessively arsenic-contaminated rice. Terming this an urgent matter, the study said only safe water can reduce the risk of arsenic contamination. He also showed some findings to reduce the contamination. "It has been observed that mixing surface water with ground water could reduce the arsenic contamination by about 50 percent," said Prof Imamul, adding that organic and inorganic substances including cow dung, poultry feces, litters, sewage and composts could reduce the accumulation of arsenic in soil. The study also showed two indigenous ferns, pteris vittata and nephrodium molle, could remove arsenic from soil. Arsenic is a major concern of the world as the ground water in 20 countries is contaminated, and in Bangladesh more than 80 percent ground water is contaminated by arsenic. The chief guest at the lecture series Prof Nazrul Islam, chairman of the University Grants Commission, said although research is a mandatory part of university education, the teachers at present are not interested in it. Admitting the fund constraint for research he said the government has allocated Tk 10 crore for research purpose which will help reduce the crisis. He also noted that the University Grants Commission is going to sign a deal with the World Bank for funding research projects. "After the sighing of the deal with the World Bank, the fund crisis will be solved," the UGC chairman added. Presided over by DU Vice-chancellor Prof SMA Faiz, the lecture was also attended by Prof Anwar Hossain, dean of Biological Science faculty, and Prof Harun-Or-Rashid, dean of Social Science faculty.
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