Antidote

the Bangladesh government has finally given the green light to the much-awaited National Policy on Arsenic Mitigation. It was recently cleared by a cabinet committee headed by the country's Prime Minister, Khaleda Zia. A nine-member group of secretaries and a panel of experts have framed the policy.

"We have consulted a number of entities and individuals such as donor agencies and local groups. All the important suggestions have been incorporated in the final document,' reveals A Y B I Siddiqi, former secretary to the government, who was involved in the policy formulation process. "Now the government will implement it with full force,' he adds. The policy contains a set of guidelines and protocols, called the implementation plan, which are to be followed in arsenic-affected areas. Out of the 64 districts of Bangladesh, 59 are reeling under arsenic contamination, threatening the health of around 30-40 million people (see: