Imphal, January 07: Serious concern has been raised over the detection of a high percentage of arsenic in the underground water found in certain parts of the State.

According to a well placed source, the arsenic content found in the underground water in certain parts of the State is as high as 300 ppb (Part Per Billion), which is hazardous not only to the health of all living creatures but also to the environment.

Experts said that consuming or using water with such a high content of arsenic can lead to diseases like cancer adding that there is no cure for any disease caused by arsenic consumption.

The matter came to light during a survey of the underground water found in the North East region by an organisation named Neriwalam in 2003-04.During the survey the said organisation collected 1500 samples from Assam, 296 samples from Arunachal Pradesh, 182 from Meghalaya, 132 from Nagaland, 128 from Sikkim, 117 from Tripura, 114 from Mizoram and 60 samples from Manipur.

According to specifications laid down by the World Health Organisation, if the arsenic content in underground water reaches 50 ppb, then it is unsafe for human consumption and can be hazardous to the environment as well, said the source.

The United States Resources Centre had also laid down a similar specification, added the source.

The findings of the survey by Neriwalam put the arsenic content of the underground water found in Assam, Manipur, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram at 300 ppb while in Nagaland it was 50 ppb.

The full report of the findings of the survey was published in the recently issued News Letter of the Department of Development of North East Region.

When The Sangai Express contacted an Assistant Professor of Life Sciences of Manipur University, P Kumar over the health hazards posed by arsenic, he said that consumption of arsenic will lead to slow poisoning.

There is as yet no cure for any disease caused by consuming arsenic, he added.

The effect of arsenic will take a long time to be felt, he said adding that consumption of arsenic will not immediately lead to death.

This substance will slowly weaken the human system which will ultimately lead to death, added the Assistant Professor.

Skin diseases, paralysis and cancer are some of the diseases which can be caused by consuming arsenic, added the Assistant Professor.

To a question on what can be taken up as precautionary measures against this toxic element, P Kumar said that arsenic can be removed from underground water by a series of treatment.

Technology know-how on how to treat the arsenic laced water is of utmost importance, he added.

The Assistant Professor further said that the high presence of arsenic in the underground water could be due to the residues of the rampant use of fertilisers and pesticides for agricultural purposes.

Associate Professor in Life Sciences of MU, B Manihar Sharma said that arsenic is carcinogenic and it is best not to use the underground water.

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