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UNU-NIES International Workshop
Arsenic Contamination in Groundwater -
Technical and Policy Dimensions
Monday, 18 February 2002
Co-organized by:
United Nations University (UNU)
and Japan National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES)
In Collaboration with:
Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET),
Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine (CAPM) and
Japan National Institute of Health Sciences (NIHS)
| Workshop Proceedings
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Available for download in PDF format
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| Workshop Venue
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Rose Hall (5F), UN House (UNU building) Tokyo
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| Workshop Background
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The arsenic pollution crisis in Bangladesh and West Bengal,
India is a disaster of unprecedented proportions. The number of people
potentially impacted by this problem is far greater than that for any of
the individual problem facing the humanity today. By the virtue of its
sheer size, it is pushing the limits of our knowledge and the capacity
to respond to it. It is a complex problem that is multi-faceted and
multi-sectoral. In turn, it requires clear thinking and a comprehensive
strategic response. This strategy should be cohesive and cover all
aspects of the problem. This workshop can be considered another step in
defining such a comprehensive strategy - that deals with both policy and
technical issues.
The workshop builds on the previous work that UNU, NIES and
their partners have undertaken with respect to the arsenic contamination -
particularly with reference to Bangladesh, West Bengal (India) and China.
It also follows up on the BUET-UNU workshop held in Dhaka during May 2001
on the technological solutions and a roundtable policy meeting also held
in Dhaka in July 2001. The present workshop is co-organized with the
Japan National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), which had held
the first workshop on health risks of arsenic pollution of drinking water
in South Asia and China, March 10 2001, as part of a study under the Human
Dimension Programme (HDP) funded by the Japan Ministry of Environment. |
| Workshop Objectives |
- Further the dialogue on development of a comprehensive strategy to deal
with the problems faced in Asia, including identification of approaches
towards developing a comprehensive strategy for various stakeholders;
- Identify means and ways to communicate the workshop's recommendations
to a wider audience, with particular reference to the discussions to be held
in the 3rd World Water Forum (March 2003);
- Discuss linkages to arsenic problems in other parts of the world and
ways to extrapolate findings from Asia to other regions; and
- Involvement and awareness raising of Japanese researchers and
the general public on the related issues.
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| Workshop Programme |
09:00-09:15 Opening Remarks - Prof. Motoyuki Suzuki (Vice Rector, UNU)
Keynote Speakers
09:15-10:00 Key Issues for Arsenic Crisis and an Approach for its Remediation:
West Bengal (India) Experience - Dr. Dipankar Chakraborti (Jadavpur University, India)
10:00-10:45 Dr. Jin Yanlong (CAPM, China)
10:45-11:15 Coffee Break
First Session:
Technological and Human Health Dimensions of the Arsenic Problem
Chairpersons: Dr. Han Haijnen (WHO) and Dr. Hiroshi Yamauchi (St. Marianna Medical University)
11:15-11:35 Fate of Arsenic in the Environment - Prof. Ashraf Ali (BUET, Bangladesh)
11:35-11:55 Study on Arsenism in Bangladesh - Dr. Chiho Watanabe (University of
Tokyo) and Dr. Habibur Rahman (BUET, Bangladesh)
11:55-12:15 Technological Issues in Arsenic Monitoring - Dr. Masanori Ando (NIHS, Japan)
12:15-12:35 Risk Assessment of Skin Lesions Posed by Arsenic Contaminated Well Water
in Shanxi, China - Dr. Zhang Yanping (Taiyuan CDC, Shanxi, China)
12:35-12:55 A Speciation Study Focused on the Identification of Proximate Toxic
Arsenic Metabolites - Dr. Kazuo T. Suzuki (Chiba University, Japan)
12:55-14:30 Lunch
Second Session:
Policy Dimensions of the Arsenic Problem
Chairpersons: Prof. Kazuo Yamamoto (Univ. of Tokyo, Japan) and Dr. Roy K.Boerschke (World Bank)
14:30-14:50 Policy Development for Arsenic Remediation in Bangladesh - Prof. Feroze
Ahmad (BUET, Bangladesh)
14:50-15:10 Linkages of Short- and Long-term Policy Measures - Dr. Zafar Adeel (UNU, Japan)
15:10-15:30 Preventive Policy against Hazardous Effects of Drinking
Arsenic-Polluted Well Water - Dr. Feng Lizhong (Shanxi Health Bureau, China)
and Dr. Jin Yinlong (CAPM)
15:30-15:50 Community Participation and Rural Water Supply in Arsenic Affected Areas: A
Case Study from Rural Bangaldesh - Dr. Bilqis A. Hoque (EPRC, Bangladesh)
15:50-16:30 Coffee Break
Panel Discussion and Formulation of Recommendations
16:30-18:00 Panelists: Prof. Motoyuki Suzuki (UNU), Dr. Han Haijnen (WHO),
Prof. Feroze Ahmad (BUET), Dr. Bilqis A. Hoque (EPRC), Dr. Michinori Kabuto (NIES),
Dr. Yasumoto Magara (Hokkaido University, Japan)
Moderator: Dr. Zafar Adeel
18:00-18:15 Closing Remarks - Dr. Soichirou Iwao (Director of Environmental Health, MOE)
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