Bangladesh and the Arsenic Problem
Arsenic contamination in Bangladesh originates from deep tube wells drilled in the 1970s to combat cholera, which have now led to a widespread public health crisis. The climate crisis, with rising sea levels and increased flooding, is worsening the situation by altering the chemistry of the groundwater. Nearly half of the country’s wells exceed the WHO’s arsenic limits, affecting the health of approximately 78 million people, with an increased risk of lung and bladder cancer, among other illnesses.
(The Daily Star: Mar 14, 2024; The Daily Star: May 14, 2025)
India and Fluoride Contamination
In Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh, a new government report shows that high fluoride levels in groundwater have caused severe and chronic health problems, primarily skeletal fluorosis, among the local population since 2013. Despite treatment efforts, residents have seen little improvement. (Indian Express: April 3, 2025)
In Odisha, a study by the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) has found dangerously high fluoride levels in drinking water across five districts. For example, levels as high as 5.25 mg/l were recorded in Angul and 4.8 mg/l in Nuapada, far above the WHO’s recommended limit of 1.5 mg/l. The contamination is due to both natural geological factors and industrial discharges. (The Times of India: Jun 11, 2025)