POISENED POLES
It has come to light that during the past two decades, Bangladesh has imported electrical poles laced with over 14 million kg of toxic arsenic compounds. The poles were imported for the purpose of rural electrification. According to the Rural Electrification Board officials, the poles were treated with chromated copper arsenate, ammoniacal copper arsenic and ammoniacal copper zinc arsenic, to protect the poles from high temperatures. Arsenic contamination is found at 50 to 100 ft below ground level in many areas like Jessore and Pabna. The poles could worsen the contamination of soil and underground water, believe environment experts.