Results of a study published in Journal Science Advances revealed alarmingly high levels of arsenic in the underground water of Eastern Pakistan and pose a sinificant health hazard to tens of millions of people who drink the water. Groundwater samples were taken from 1,200 sites throughout the country. Areas in eastern Punjab-- which includes Lahore --and around Hyderabad were especially likely to have groundwater that exposes large number of people to arsenic contamination. Many parts of the densely populated plains along the Indus River and its tributaries showed arsenic concentrations in underground water higher than the WHO guidelines of 10 micrograms per liter. Very high concentrations above 200 micrograms/liter are mainly found in the south, the report said. One hypothesis is that heavy irrigation isboosting the level of arsenic because rice, cotton and sugarcane crops are cultivated in the areas. People regularly drinking contaminated water face a higher risk of lung cancer, heart diseases and skin disorder.
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