Lucknow: Arsenic, which can cause poisoning in humans, has been reportedly found in an alarming 30 districts of Uttar Pradesh. Arsenic contamination is known to expose humans to slow and consistent poisoning.



According to reports, high levels of arsenic have been found in ground water of 30 districts in Eastern Uttar Pradesh bordering Bihar. The toxicity is beyond the Bureau of Indian Standards permissible limit of 0.01mg/litre.



The alarming results surfaced after water samples from at least 31 districts were taken and tested at Indian Institute of Toxicology Research.



According to the results, districts in eastern Uttar Pradesh that reeling under the threat of arsenic endemic threat are: Meerut, Rae Bareli, Gorakhpur, Bareilly, Lakhimpur Kheri, Gonda, Bijnor, Sant Ravidas Nagar, Ghazipur, Ballia, Balrampur, Basti, Chandauli, Unnao, Bahraich, and Mirzapur.



These districts have arsenic presence more than five times of allowed limit.



The report further adds: three districts which fall in highly toxic (arsenic presence from 0.04mg/litre to 0.05mg/litre) category are Faizabad, Kanpur Nagar and Sitapur.



Reports of 25 cancer-related deaths from Bahrauli district in Meerganj surfaced last month. Villagers also reportedly said that cancer was rampant in Bahrauli largely due to contaminated water supply. They also said that drinking water from hand pumps was unfit for consumption.



A state health official denied reports and claimed that arsenic contamination in water doesn’t lead to cancer. Times of India reported: Chief medical officer (CMO) Vijay Yadav said, "Arsenic in water does not cause cancer, but it leads to skin diseases that could manifest as colour change on the skin, or hard patches on the palms and soles."

File photos from PTI and wired.com