Risk of heart disease is increasing due to drinking arsenic laden water, high risk in many states including Bihar, UP and Assam: Study…

New Delhi: Long-term exposure to arsenic in drinking water may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, even if exposure levels are below regulatory limits, according to a new study on Wednesday. The study, conducted by researchers at Columbia University in the US, is the first to describe exposure-response relationships at concentrations below the current regulatory limit (10 micrograms per liter). It also confirms that long-term exposure to arsenic in water contributes to the development of ischemic heart disease. For the study, published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, the team compared different time periods of exposure.
“Our findings further reinforce the importance of considering non-cancer outcomes, particularly heart disease, the number one cause of death in the US and the world,” said Danielle Medgesi, a doctoral student in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences at Columbia Mailman School. Is. To evaluate the association between long-term exposure to arsenic from community water supplies (CWS) and heart disease, researchers included 98,250 participants, 6,119 ischemic heart disease cases and 9,936 CVD. Cases analyzed.
The study found that exposure to arsenic for up to a decade at the time of a heart disease event was associated with the greatest risk. The findings are consistent with a previous study conducted in Chile, which found that mortality from acute myocardial infarction peaks about a decade after exposure to excessive arsenic.
The study found that there was a 20 percent risk when exposed to arsenic, which ranged from 5 to 10 micrograms per liter, which affected about 3.2 percent of the participants. The results highlight the serious health consequences not only of community water systems not meeting existing standards, but also of standards that fall below them.
This study holds special importance for India because arsenic has been found in some parts of 152 districts of 21 states. Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal are some of the states where arsenic levels (more than 0.01 mg/litre) have been found in maximum districts.
More than 28 lakh people at risk
According to the Integrated Management Information System (IMIS) of the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, there are about 1800 arsenic affected rural settlements in India, where 23.98 lakh people are at risk. IMIS data shows that there are 6 states affected by arsenic in terms of groundwater sources. West Bengal has the highest number of settlements with arsenic-contaminated water at 1218, followed by Assam (290), Bihar (66), Uttar Pradesh (39), Karnataka (9) and Punjab (178).
In response to arsenic-related health risks, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) reduced the acceptable limit of arsenic in drinking water in India from 0.05 mg/litre to 0.01 mg/litre in 2015. However, this study found that the risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD) in women with a 10-year average exposure of 5 µg/L or higher was 1.6 percent higher, said Dr. Tamorish Kole, chair of the Clinical Practice Committee of the International Federation for Emergency Medicine. was quite high, which is half the US/Indian regulatory limit.
He said that arsenic, which is known for its toxic properties, accumulates in the body over time. This study expands our understanding of its impact, moving beyond the traditional focus on cancer and showing a broader, systemic impact on cardiovascular health. He said researchers suggest that arsenic may contribute to heart disease through mechanisms such as oxidative stress, inflammation and endothelial dysfunction, which can gradually damage blood vessels, promote atherosclerosis and lead to heart disease. Can weaken the work.

coping with the problem

Dealing with arsenic contamination requires more than treating water; The study highlights the need for vigilant monitoring, especially in high-risk areas, and strict regulation to ensure safety.

“From a public health perspective, this research emphasizes the need for preventive measures and regular cardiovascular screening for people in affected areas, and ongoing efforts to reduce risk and protect cardiovascular health,” said Dr. Cooley. Emphasizes the importance of.

It is noteworthy that a Parliamentary Committee on Research Based Education and Research Scenario in Science and Related Fields has also in its report alerted the Central Government about the presence of arsenic and fluoride pollution and other heavy metals in ground water and drinking water in many states. .

The committee has detected the presence of arsenic, fluoride and other heavy metals in groundwater and drinking water in many states.

The committee, headed by BJP MP Vivek Thakur, said this pollution is giving rise to serious health problems like cancer, skin diseases, heart diseases and diabetes among the residents of the affected areas and states.

Additionally, the Committee notes that there is an urgent need for adequate research to eliminate arsenic, fluoride and other heavy metals from groundwater and drinking water in these affected areas to address this problem.

Funding research to make water arsenic free

In view of the seriousness of the issue, the Committee strongly recommends that the Department of Science and Technology, Department of Health Research, and Department of Higher Education, including various reputed institutions like IITs, should be involved in the issue of groundwater and drinking water for health in the affected areas and States. Comprehensive research initiatives aimed at eliminating harmful arsenic, fluoride and other heavy metals should be prioritized and funded.
According to the committee, this proactive step will not only address the immediate health threats, but will also pave the way for sustainable, innovative solutions for effective waste water management and salt water treatment practices.

Dr. Kole said that mapping arsenic-contaminated areas in India is an important step. High-risk areas, including parts of West Bengal, Bihar, Assam and Uttar Pradesh, could benefit from dedicated water treatment projects, awareness programs and alternative water sources, thereby reducing long-term health impacts. Data from such mapping -Driven policies will be supported, helping health officials focus on prevention and education, as well as allowing continuous monitoring as pollution patterns change.

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