Arsenic above the safe levels permitted for human consumption has been found in groundwater in Arakan State and Ayeyawady and Bago divisions.
The findings were made when a government medical research department tested various samples from wells in those areas.
The same department said that the permissible level of arsenic in water in Burma is 0.05 milligrams per litre of water.
People who consume water which contains too much arsenic over several years can develop health problems. These can include:  cancer, skin problems, and lung, liver, heart and kidney diseases.
In Bangladesh, Myanmar’s neighbour, there have been many reported cases of arsenic contaminating groundwater over a long period of time.
Over 137 million people from 70 countries including Bangladesh, India, Chile, China, Argentina and Mexico are being affected by arsenic contaminating groundwater.
Courtesy BNI