Clean Water and Bangladesh
What is Happening with Bangladesh's Water?
Though arsenic contamination in groundwater was first detected in the year 1993, the problem is still not widely discussed globally and many are unaware of what is happening in Bangladesh. The arsenic is naturally occurring in the soil across rural areas of Bangladesh but at levels higher than the 50 ppb that is considered safe for consumption. The installation of deep wells to replace the shallow contaminated wells could be a solution for many with the problem; however, the cost of a new deep well is significantly more expensive and most are unable to get financial support from their local government.
Read, Watch, and Learn
Academic and Professional Research
"Arsenic Contamination in Groundwater in Bangladesh: An Environmental and Social Disaster" by M. S. Islam and F. Islam
"Arsenic Contamination in Groundwater in Bangladesh: Implications and Challenges for Healthcare Policy" by Sk Akhtar Ahmad, Manzurul Haque Khan, and Mushfiqual Haque
"Power of Culture in Sustaining Safe Water and Sanitation Use in Rural Bangladesh: An Ethnographic Study" by Azizur Molla
More Readings
"The Poisoning of Bangladesh: How Arsenic Is Ravaging a Nation" by Sam Loewenberg
Millions of people are being exposed to arsenic-contaminated drinking water. Why are simple solutions not being applied? A look at the situation in Bangladesh and why the people are left without the means to clean water.
This 111-page report documents how Bangladesh’s health system largely ignores the impact of exposure to arsenic on people’s health, starting with the story of Khobor, a man living in a rural village Bangladesh, who has seen the damages firsthand.
Videos
"A clean water solution for Bangladesh's arsenic poisoning crisis" BBC News
Human Rights Watch says up to 20 million people are at risk from arsenic poisoning in Bangladesh where millions of people have suffered from what it calls "the biggest mass poisoning in human history". But could these purifying beads made out of resin be the answer? The social entrepreneurs behind Drinkwell have created a clean water solution for Bangladesh's arsenic poisoning crisis. But what’s their secret?
"Arsenic Water Poisoning: Fixing It One Drop At A Time" TedTalk by Thabit Pulak
After starting an NGO that works to combat arsenic water poisoning in Bangladesh, Thabit talks about how to combat problems that may seem too large to tackle.
What You Can Do
While you continue to educate yourself on issues like arsenic in Bangladesh's water that affect communities across the globe, remember to have open dialogues with friends, family, and colleges about the ways that access to water clean is not always equal. Recommend different resources from above that helped broaden your own perspective and continue the conversation.
With all social justice issues, it’s important not only to have open discussions but to take action if and when you are able. Below are a number of places to get involved through donations, participation in events, and simple actions.
Water in Crisis - Bangladesh - The Water Project
If you have any other information or resources related to clean water in Bangladesh or other issues, please let us know at [email protected].