Guwahati: A recent Columbia University study has spotlighted a troubling link between low-level arsenic exposure in drinking water and heightened cardiovascular risks, raising significant health concerns for residents of Assam, a state already grappling with widespread arsenic contamination in groundwater. The study’s findings indicate that arsenic levels below the regulatory limit of 10 micrograms per liter (μg/L) may still substantially increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, including ischemic heart disease (IHD).
In Assam, this discovery adds urgency to an existing issue. The Central Ground Water Board reports that 19 districts in the state, including Sivasagar, Jorhat, and Sonitpur, have recorded arsenic levels above the safe threshold of 0.01 mg/L, affecting millions of people who rely on groundwater for drinking. Nationwide, other states such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal are also contending with arsenic contamination, putting a vast population at risk.
The study underscores that exposure levels as low as 5 μg/L — half the permissible limit in India and the U.S. — can have serious cardiovascular impacts. Dr. Tamorish Kole, Chair of the Clinical Practice Committee for the International Federation for Emergency Medicine, explained that women with a decade of exposure to arsenic at or above 5 μg/L are especially vulnerable, showing increased risks for IHD. Traditionally, arsenic exposure has been linked to cancers of the skin, lung, and bladder. However, this new research highlights cardiovascular health as an additional concern, with arsenic potentially contributing to heart disease through mechanisms like oxidative stress, inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction, which can damage blood vessels and compromise heart function over time.
Compounding these concerns, a report by the Parliamentary Committee on Research-Based Education in Sciences has also warned about the presence of arsenic, fluoride, and other toxic elements in groundwater across several states. Chaired by BJP MP Vivek Thakur, the committee emphasized that these contaminants are linked to various serious health problems, including cancer, skin ailments, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. The committee called for urgent research to address these contaminants and urged the Departments of Science and Technology, Health Research, and Higher Education to fund studies focused on removing arsenic, fluoride, and heavy metals from drinking water sources.
In Assam, public health challenges are severe due to the reliance on groundwater for drinking and domestic use. Several districts show arsenic levels above safe limits, posing a grave risk of long-term health consequences. The Integrated Management Information System (IMIS) of the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation reports that Assam has the second-highest number of arsenic-affected habitations in the country, following West Bengal.
The Parliamentary Committee has recommended collaborative efforts to address this issue, suggesting that technology and research be directed towards finding effective solutions to groundwater contamination. Practical measures could include installing arsenic filtration systems, promoting alternative water sources, and raising public awareness about the health dangers associated with arsenic exposure.
The Columbia University study and the committee’s recommendations urge a multi-layered response to protect vulnerable communities. Assam’s government, health organizations, and local leaders now have a critical opportunity to act, reduce arsenic exposure, and safeguard public health, particularly with the newly understood cardiovascular risks associated with arsenic-contaminated water.