Arsenic found in vegetables near Ganga River, Bihar

The Bihar government has confirmed that arsenic is present in vegetables and crops grown near the Ganga River. Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha made this statement during a discussion in the state assembly. He noted that certain districts along the river have arsenic levels exceeding safe limits. Sinha announced plans for a meeting with various departments to address this health concern. He explained that arsenic in groundwater is leading to higher arsenic levels in vegetables, particularly leafy greens and root vegetables like potatoes. For example, arsenic levels were recorded at 0.1 mg/kg in leafy vegetables, 0.3 mg/kg in root vegetables, and 1.0 mg/kg in rice. BJP MLA Amrendra Pratap Singh described the situation as serious. He expressed concerns about the water pollution in Bhojpur district, stating that it is so contaminated that washing hands in it can turn them black. The Bihar Economic Survey also revealed that high levels of arsenic were found in groundwater across many rural areas. A recent report from the Central Groundwater Board indicated excessive iron, fluoride, and arsenic in various districts, which can pose serious health risks. To tackle these issues, the government has set up over 31,000 water treatment plants to ensure safe drinking water. There are specific plants for treating arsenic, fluoride, and iron, and testing labs for water quality have been established in each district.