ARSENIC EXPOSURE IN BANGLADESH: THE REPRODUCTIVE AND DEVELOPMENTAL HEALTH EFFECTS IN HUMANS

It is estimated that of the 140 million inhabitants of Bangladesh, 85 millions are at risk of drinking Arsenic contaminated water and foodstuffs. The scale of this man made environmental disaster is grater than any other recorded in human history. The arsenic crisis in Bangladesh has been called the worst environmental catastrophe of the twentieth century. Chronic arsenic toxicity leads to various types of cancer and non-cancer with severe damage to human health resulting from long-term consumption and exposure to high arsenic levels in ground water.

Very little has been done to investigate reproductive effects in pregnancy and effects on child development. Evidence from human and animal studies clearly suggests that arsenic is teratogenic, and that inorganic arsenic may be associated with several reproductive/developmental outcomes, including increased rates of spontaneous abortion, low birth weight, congenital malformations, pre-eclampsia and infant mortality.

Study conducted by us in Bangladesh on 48 foetal samples (from pregnant woman with Arsenicosis) shows that significant levels (>5ìg/L in plasma) of arsenic crosses the placental barrier and is transferred from the mother to the foetus through the umbilical cord during gestational period, particularly in the 3rd trimester. We found significantly high levels (>800ìg/L) of arsenic in many tube-wells in various districts (Meherpur, Chandpur, Nowakali, Barishal, Pubna) of Bangladesh. We also found significant levels of other heavy metals and trace elements. Based on population density we estimate that the number of pregnant woman and neonates exposed to blood and plasma arsenic concentration above 5ìg/L (through milk, food and water) would be in millions.

The data we have, confirms arsenic is transferred from the mother to the foetus. The adverse consequences of which are not clear but are most likely to be gynaecological -pregnancy related complication to the mother and may disrupt the embryonic development of the foetus and thus the offspring.

It can be concluded therefore, that before a recommendation can be made on arsenic toxicity and human reproduction, immediate further studies are warranted with regards to the effects of chronic arsenic exposure on pregnancy and human development and gynecological outcome in humans.