Selected papers on the social aspects of arsenic and arsenic mitigation in Bangladesh

This document is a collection of three articles addressing the arsenic crisis in Bangladesh. Arsenic not only poses serious health risks for communities affected, but also has severe social consequences. The document points out that the social implications of the arsenic crisis has not received as much attention as the technical and health aspects. However, due to poor nutrition and limited access to water supplies, poor access to health services, the poor are at an increased risk of the effects of arsenicosis. As a consequence of these factors, arsenic can be a shock from which poor people are unable to recover.

The first chapter of the document gives a detailed overview of the relevant social issues of this crisis. This chapter also looks at the current strategies in mitigating these effects in Bangladesh and West Bengal. It makes several findings on the social aspects of the arsenic contamination, including the following:

• poor people are more affected than others by arsenic-related diseases
• epidemiological studies are the most reliable sources of information to establish prevalence rates. Also, while patient surveys are useful, they tend to be biased, depending on how study respondents are identified
• women are more socially damaged than men by arsenic related illnesses, most likely because of their generally lower social status. If unmarried, they find it difficult to find a husband; and if married they may be abandoned or divorced. Women are less likely to talk about arsenic related health problems and are more likely to attend to the health needs of others than those they themselves face
• arsenicosis poses some severe economic consequences particularly for the poor. For instance, many who are ill are either too weak to work or lose employment opportunities because of widespread fears of contagion.

The second chapter deals with the gendered impact of the arsenic contamination. It highlights key experiences of poor women and men of how arsenic has affected their lives and how they are able to participate in arsenic mitigation. The chapter also provides details of the ongoing problems of exclusion and gender differentials in increased workloads as a result of arsenic.

The third chapter is a critical analysis of the linkages between arsenic contamination of drinking water and human rights. It identifies the different rights on which arsenic contamination may impinge, are explored in this article. This chapter also lists some important strategic directions for addressing arsenic and human rights. [adapted from authors]