HYDERABAD, April 14: Underground water of three villages in Tando Allah Yar has been found highly contaminated with arsenic, reveals a research report.

Sindh University’s scientist and Project Director High-tech Resources Central Laboratories, Prof Dr Mohammad Yar Khuhawar issued his research report, on Monday on ‘Effect of arsenic contamination of underground water on human health in the district’.

The report said that as part of an academic programme, underground water of Tando Allahyar town and five villages within the distance of 3-6km was monitored. Water samples collected from hand pumps and quality based on total dissolved solids (TDS) was observed within acceptable limits for human consumption. However, underground water of three villages Allah Bux Arbab, Khair Muhammad Jarwar and Haji Saleh Halepoto was found highly contaminated with arsenic.

The scholar along with his junior research scholar registered for PhD Mr Subhan collected 62 samples from three villages and 58 indicated the presence of arsenic within 50-300ppb (parts per billion) and more than 50 per cent samples indicated arsenic concentration greater than 100ppb. It said the arsenic was a toxic substance with sever health effects on continuous use.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) report, “long term exposure to arsenic via drinking water causes cancer of skin, lungs, urinary bladder and kidney, as well as other skin changes such as pigmentation and thickening (hyperkeratosis), said the report.

Dr Khuhawar said the maximum permissible limit in water for human consumption by WHO was 10ppb. He said possible health effects of consumption of arsenic contaminated water were examined in village Allah Bux Arbab and a number of people of all ages including children were observed with darkening of hands and feet palm and black spots all over the body, an indication of the poising effect of arsenic.

The scholar’s report said results were further confirmed by the presence of arsenic in urine samples of affected subjects. Dr Khuhawar further pointed out that groundwater of 80 per cent of Sindh province was saline and not suitable for human consumption and added that packets of sweet water may be contaminated with arsenic, one of the toxic substances.

The research scholar recommended that there was the need to recognize the problem and make efforts to provide cheap filters for the removal of arsenic before consumption.