Scinario of arsenic pollution in groundwater: West Bengal

Arsenic contamination in groundwater has taken a serious stage and it has entered the food chain now.Rice and other vegetables grown using arsenic contaminated groundwater ate accumulating arsenic in levels greater than prescribed limit for health.Although several remedial solutions have been suggested,considering the socio-economic condition of the agrarian population,it is recommended to use surface water for irrigation.It may be difficult to switch over to this practice but there seems to be no other economical option suitable for this population.Over a period of years,the aquifer may provide safe drinking water and reduce the severity of the health condition presently experienced by the population.