Arsenic and fluoride pollution

Subject: Environment

Context:

The number of arsenic-affected habitations in the country increased by 145 per cent in the last five years, according to data shared with the Parliament September 18, 2020.

Concept:

• Most of the arsenic-affected habitations lie in the Ganga and Brahmaputra alluvial plains; in the states of Assam, Bihar, UP and Bengal. Assam had the highest share of such habitations (1,853), followed by Bengal (1,383). 
• However, the number of fluoride affected habitations has significantly come down in the last five years — from 12,727 in 2015 to 5,485 as of September 13, 2020. Rajasthan had the highest number of such habitations (2,956), followed by Bihar (861). 
• Health effects
  • Fluorosis: Tooth discoloration and decay and Crippling skeletal damage
  • Arsenicosis: Skin pigmentation changes and skin thickening (hyperkeratosis) and Cancer of the skin, lungs, bladder and kidney