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International Journal of Scientific Research in Environmental Sciences, 2(1), pp. 1-7, 2014
Available online at http://www.ijsrpub.com/ijsres
ISSN: 2322-4983; ©2014 IJSRPUB
http://dx.doi.org/10.12983/ijsres-2014-p0001-0007
1
Full Length Research Paper
Arsenic Contamination: Food Toxicity and Local Perception
Md. Abdur Rakib1*, Mohammad A.H. Bhuiyan
2
1Department of Disaster Management, Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur, Bangladesh
2Department of Environmental Sciences, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka-1342, Bangladesh
*Corresponding Author: E-mail address: rakibmamun_ju@yahoo.com; abdur.rakib84@yahoo.com
Received 02 November 2013; Accepted 10 December 2013
Abstract. This study was performed based on local perception on arsenic toxicity with respect to socioeconomic status at the
Achintanagar village in the southwestern part of Bangladesh. The questionnaire was distributed randomly at the local scale in
the study area. It was found that the respondents are highly contaminated with arsenic and most of them have suffered from
economic crisis and ignorance. Arsenic contamination and food poisoning concept has direct bearing on educational level
which is emphasized on socioeconomic status. Correlation coefficient matrix had revealed that the whole aspects of
socioeconomic component negatively correlated with arsenic toxicity for group one and two. Female participant were
observed to be more unconscious than male respondents on food contamination through arsenic accumulation. Results showed that, most of the respondents continued to eat and practiced the sale of contaminated food in the community. It was observed
that this practice is highly contagious for human and environmental health.
Keywords: Arsenic food Toxicity, Local perception, Male & Female and Knowledge variability
1. INTRODUCTION Arsenic contamination and its consequence is an
emerging issue for public health with respect to social
aspects in Bangladesh. Scientific evidence of arsenic contamination and socioeconomic condition of a
society has direct linkage with health hazards and
behavioral attitude. Consequently, most of the countries in Asia have been reported to suffer from
this problem most especially in Bangladesh
(Chowdhury et al., 1999; Biswas et al., 1998; Nickson
et al., 1998; Nickson et al., 2000; Dhar et al., 1997; Khan et al., 1997). It acts as a limiting factor for
sustainable development (Ongley, 1999). About 110
million people in Vietnam, Nepal, Pakistan, India, China, Myanmar, Laos, Combodia, Taiwan and
Bangladesh have been suffered from Arsenic
contamination (Sharma, 2009).
The alarming content of As in groundwater resources has been identified as the biggest single
source of arsenic contamination in Bangladesh
(Hossian, 2006). About 100 million people in the world have been affected due to naturally occurring
As in ground water (Ahuja, 2008). It was estimated
that 97% people living in rural areas used As-contaminated water for drinking and irrigation
purposes (UNICEF, 2001; WHO, 2001). According to
WHO guideline, 10 μg L-1
count as a permissible limit
for drinking purpose, while the national standard is
five times higher (50 μg L-1
) in Bangladesh (Mosler, 2010). A few studies (Tondel et al., 1999; BGS, 1999;
Erickson, 2003) reported that this level has been
exceeded with it reaching up to 2000 μg L-1
in many cases.
Arsenic contamination in groundwater and its
degree of toxicity could cause arsenicosis due to excessive intake in human body. At the preliminary
stage, it is characterized by the different symptoms
occurring on the skin such as skin alteration.
Arsenicosis disease is a great threat of social implications such as social prejudice, insecurity and
refusal of victims by the society and family member
(Brinkel et al., 2009). But advancing from this stage, it may result to death due to its complications including
cancers of the lung, kidney, bladder and skin (WHO,
2001). Arsenic contamination through drinking water
and its consumption is also associated with peripheral vascular diseases and neuro developmental
impairment in children (Wasserman et al., 2004).One
study tried to investigate the key factor responsible for enhancing As contamination such as economic and
social agent in Bangladesh (Hassan et al., 2005).
However, scientific evidence reveals the situational condition in a specific time and place for arsenic
hazards and public health. In addition, observational
statement on arsenic contamination shows the
Rakib and Bhuiyan
Arsenic Contamination: Food Toxicity and Local Perception
2
background of the study and it may consist of visual
factor. The coincidence of two evidences is a reflection of the factual result of a study. The aims of
this study are to evaluate the factors influencing
arsenic contamination among rural people as well as the impact of environmental hazards and its
community perception. In addition, this study will
evaluate how education, family income and social
perception influenced arsenic poisoning in a society.
2. METHODOLOGY
2.1. Justification of the Sample Site Selection
High levels of arsenic in ground water are causing
wide spread poisoning in the Jhenaidah district, Bangladesh. Significant attempts have been made in
recent decades to identify arsenic contaminated tube-
wells and food contamination in this locality by different national and international organizations.
Unfortunately, a very little effort has been made to
identify the relationships between arsenicosis patients and perceptional attitude towards the food
contamination in this area. Preliminary survey in this
study indicates that large numbers of persons in this
area have been affected from arsenic contamination. To assess the health effects from arsenic
contamination, knowledge and to awareness buildings
have been chosen to proper management of public health issues in the Jhenaidah district.
2.2. Study Area
The study was performed at Achintanagar village in
the Jhenaidah districts, Bangladesh. It is situated in
the southwestern part of Bangladesh. The study area was covered by Ganges flood plain sediments which
is rich in arsenic containing pyrites (Mandal et al.,
1998; Chowdhury et al., 1999).The average rain fall was 3000 mm and the temperature ranges from 32 to
33°C as recorded respectively. A group of people was
identified as arsenicosis patients (Rakib et al., 2013).
Most of the people were agro-economic dependent. Their ages varied from 18 to 76 years. The people‟s
behaviors were congenial who were victimized by
environmental stress and inferiority complex in terms of social status.
2.3. Research Design
A qualitative research was performed to find out the
real effect of environmental crisis on social aspects
through background analysis. A structured questionnaire was developed which contained the
entire demographic information (Part-1), educational
status and concern with arsenic contamination (Part-
2). It has been structured considering partial factor
including requisite information to complete a potential research.
A number of respondents (male, n=43 and female,
n=43) were selected randomly in the community. Most of them were showing arsenicosis symptoms.
The interview was taken to complete the purposive
work and prospective research with social
significance. It is laid on specific research interest “arsenic contamination” and social “perception” based
on education and socioeconomic condition. They
willingly agreed to talk with the interviewer about arsenic contamination. Significant information was
drawn from the participants. To serve the study aim
and objectives, total participants were split into four
groups (G-1, G-2, G-3 and G-4) depending on socioeconomic status along with economic growth,
arsenic poisoning with knowledge [According to
group, Per capita income (annual) of the respondent was recorded Tk. 10000-15000 (US $ 128.62-192.93),
Tk. 16000-20000 (US $205.79-257.23), Tk. 21000-
25000 (US $270.10-334.41) and Tk. 26000-30000 (US $334.41-385.85) respectively]. It was done to
make out the significant output of the correlation
coefficient matrix on perceptional view on arsenic
toxicity at the same time and place, followed by the same technique. On the other hand, male and female
perceptions to arsenic toxicity were measured based
on knowledge variability with box plot model. Group variability of arsenic poisoning perception was also
measured with box plot using variability index. The
measured information was confirmed to educational knowledge with respect to health perspectives.
The second part contained a number of questions.
Four questions out of them were likert-scale
questions. It was included to get the clear concept on arsenic contamination in categorical aspects. This
question could be affirmed in depth knowledge and
conclusive statement of the study. Arsenic poisoning and food contamination were defined in the following
aspects: arsenic toxicity, vegetable contamination,
food grain contamination and groundwater
contamination. It was scored both positively and negatively through reverse order as follows: known
(5), well known (4), either known nor unknown (3),
unknown (2) and completely unknown (1). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS
software (statistical package for windows 18) for
generating correlation coefficient matrix. Variability test was done using Sigma Plot software (version 7)
for evaluating arsenic toxicity and local perception
and education level.
International Journal of Scientific Research in Environmental Sciences, 2(1), pp. 1-7, 2014
3
3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
3.1. Socioeconomic Status
The socioeconomic status is coincided with present environmental condition and future impact trends. It
plays a significant role for situational impact
management along with economical growth and per
capita income. It is emphasized on educational levels which are governed by ethical consideration in
purpose that seek out the alternative way to
sustainable development. Social components and it‟s worsen condition may lead to socioeconomic crisis.
Educational qualification was observed for class 1-
5 (primary level) as group one, class 5-8( Secondary
Level) as group two, class 8-12 (Higher Secondary Level) as group three and class 12- Masters (Tertiary
Level) for group four, respectively. However, most of
the respondents fall within group one and two. In addition, socioeconomic condition of the mass
participants was found below the margin of poverty.
Among the total respondents, 62% were involved in agricultural activities. They normally use arsenic
contaminated food grains, vegetables and water.
Besides, a number of female was observed who were
engaged in household and agricultural activities in the farmland. Due to poor economic condition and lack of
proper education, a critical situation arises to worsen
environmental condition in the study area.
3.2. Arsenic Contamination and Existing Status
A number of respondents were observed as arsenicosis
patients who showed several categories of arsenicosis
symptoms. Physical appearance and their utterances
revealed panic situation as conclusive environmental hazards in the study area. Groundwater contamination
and its magnitude were pointed out as a health disaster
among the rural people. Female respondents were found to be highly affected by arsenic than male
respondents. They frequently use arsenic
contaminated water for drinking, house hold purposes
and irrigation purposes. Poor socioeconomic conditions and higher residence time caused high
intensity and elevated exposure level of
contamination. Residence time and water using pattern act as a key parameter to make out the real
situation of arsenic accumulation. Arsenic
accumulation rate in human body differ to gender variation (Rakib et al., 2013) and human body
physiology (Yoshinaga et al., 1990, Nowak and
Kozlowski, 1998, Park et al., 2007). Average arsenic
concentration in groundwater was observed 0.89
±0.13 µg/g. Average arsenic content in female hair and nail was found to be 3.707±0.36 µg/g and
2.034±0.19 µg/g respectively. Consecutively, average
arsenic concentration in male hair and nail was found to be 0.926±0.08 µg/g and 1.397±0.09 µg/g
respectively (Rakib et al., 2013). The groundwater and
food contamination lead to occur health hazards. Most
of the respondents and children were also observed at health risk due to severe arsenic contamination.
Environmental pollution is responsible to occur
worsen condition for human health. The environmental components serve for generating
suitable habitat for living organism but a few
anthropogenic activities impede to natural dynamism.
3.3. Perceptive Evaluation
Human perception and its social aspects are interlinked to scientific view on any occurrence in a
society. Arsenic contamination and social view is
overlapped with each other in relation to long time exposure and pragmatic experience of the
respondents.
Regarding to female perception, 15%, 9%, 7% and
25% female were knowledgeable about arsenic toxicity, vegetable contamination, food grain
contamination and groundwater contamination
respectively (Fig. 1). On the other hand, for male respondents 25%, 10%, 14% and 19% were found to
be knowledgeable on arsenic toxicity, vegetable
contamination, food grain contamination and groundwater contamination, respectively (Fig. 1).
Results showed that both participants were found to
be well educated and high income group. For female respondents, 35%, 14%, 15% and 19%
were observed to be completely ignorant about arsenic
toxicity, vegetable contamination, food grain
contamination and groundwater contamination, respectively (Fig. 1). Nevertheless, among male
respondents 14%, 19%, 12% and 15% were found to
be illiterate on that issue, vegetable contamination,
food grain contamination and groundwater contamination respectively. Female participants were
observed to be more unconscious than male
respondents on arsenic contamination. Female respondents were found to be significantly arsenic
affected compare to males in the study area (Rakib et
al., 2013). Most of the female respondents were observed of lower literacy rate compare to male. The
main cause could be due increased rate of drop out
from school at the early stage and early marriage.
Rakib and Bhuiyan
Arsenic Contamination: Food Toxicity and Local Perception
4
Fig. 1: Local perception and arsenic contamination
Education and socioeconomic growth is
significantly expedited to social welfare and
awareness build up. However, Social structure is consisted of its components which may act as a
driving force for sustainable development. In addition,
Arsenic contamination and its intensity is a reflection
of degree of toxicity and natural stress. Public concern may lead to socioeconomic development against
environmental impact. People of the study area were
not so aware about their health condition and environmental impact. Arsenic accumulation may get
enrich in human body due to lack of individual
awareness and daily intake of contaminated food from the environment.
3.4. Correlation Study
Arsenic contamination and its degree of toxicity may
influence social status. Social components play a
significant role to develop socioeconomic status with respect to environmental health. Education level and
family income are coincided with one another which
contributed to public health issues in a society. A
significant negative correlation was observed (r=-0.21; p=0.01) between income and arsenic toxicity for
group one. Another moderately negative correlation
was found to be between education (r=-0.13; p=0.01) and arsenic toxicity (r=-0.10; p=0.01) for group two.
On the other hand, a significant positive correlation
was found to be arsenic toxicity with respect to education (r=0.15; p=0.01) and income level
(r=0.024; p=0.01) for group two. Consecutively,
similar finding was observed for group four but it
implies on just only negative impact on public health as a situational or regional factor. However, a
significant positive correlation was observed between
arsenic toxicity (r=0.17; p=0.01) and education
(r=0.42; p=0.01) level, it also positively attributed to correlation matrix (r=0.29; p=0.01) for family income
capacity. Arsenic contamination and dietary intake is
correlated with degree of toxicity in human body.
3.5. Knowledge Variability on Food Contamination
Groundwater contamination and its consequences significantly affect the rooted plants and crops due to
using irrigation activities. Contaminated water is
frequently used in agricultural land for irrigation purpose. Plants uptake and metal availability in soil
may attribute to degree of contamination of food grain
and vegetables. Environmental education plays a vital
role in eliminating food contamination in a society. Results showed that, 75%, 81%, 89% and 93%
respondents were informed about arsenic
contamination and food safety for G-1, G-2, G-3 and G-4 respectively (Fig. 2). These concepts variation is
a consequence of impulsive socio-economical
components. Its ignorance and variability significantly
contributed to split exposure with arsenic contamination of the local respondents. Average 78%
female have heard about food contamination and
arsenic toxicity (Fig. 2). On the other hand, average 86% male respondents were updated on arsenic
hazards and its consequences. Education could be
very much effective to ensure sustainable knowledge empowerment about environmental stress. It is an
important subject on awareness development and
makes them understand about environmental impacts
on future health in a community.
International Journal of Scientific Research in Environmental Sciences, 2(1), pp. 1-7, 2014
5
Fig. 2: Food contamination and Knowledge variability in different groups and Gender
However, Perception analysis indicated to
significant review to assess the health risk and arsenic toxicity. Correlation coefficient matrix study was
made a linkage between factual information and social
components in categorical groups. It was identified as significant information to judge the environmental
stress in the study area. It would be very much
effective to take the action against with arsenic
hazards with respect to public health issues.
4. CONCLUSION
Arsenic contamination and its severity may attribute
to health issues in a community. Education level,
income and social perception are emphasized on
health and family status. Its negative consequences impacted on sustainable development with respect to
social component. It was observed that most of the
respondents were not cognizant with health hazards and food safety. Lower income and education group
were found to be highly arsenic contaminated due to
ignorance and lack of awareness. Correlation coefficient matrix had revealed that, the whole aspects
of socioeconomic component significantly negatively
correlated with arsenic toxicity for group one and two.
In addition, knowledge variation was observed in four groups which are at the lowest level in group one and
two. On the other hand, male respondents were found
to be highly responsive than female participants. It may appear as health disaster in absence of social
component and/or without proper practice to achieve
sustainability.
AKNOWLEDGEMENT
My many thanks go to the participants who have given significant information about arsenic poisoning
and casual factor to health hazards. Author also
acknowledged the local authority for giving him access to the study area for the study purpose.
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International Journal of Scientific Research in Environmental Sciences, 2(1), pp. 1-7, 2014
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Md. Abdur Rakib, M.Sc, is a faculty member of the department of Disaster Management, Begum
Rokeya University, Rangpur, Bangladesh. He is experienced on environmental research aspects and
problem solving attitude. A number of articles have been published in reputed impact journals.
Dr. Mohammad Amir Hossain Bhuiyan, is a faculty member of the Department of Environmental
Sciences, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh. He feels interest to work in different
branches of geosciences. He has significant number of research articles published in several peer-
reviewed journals. He has been awarded from different national and international organizations for his
potential research achievements. Recently, he has been awarded as a „Young Geomorphologists‟ from
International Association of Geomorphologists (IAG/AIG), Australia in 2009. He is a professional
member of different international professional organizations such as The Geochemical Society (GS),
Geological Society of America (GSA), Edmonton Geological Association, Canada, and Japan
Geosciences Union. He is also working as editorial board member and reviewer of several international journals.
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