Muzaffarpur, Jan. 31: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has initiated a project to check the level of arsenic and other pollutants in the rivers of north Bihar.

Syed Mumtazuddin, a reader in the chemistry department of Bhim Rao Ambedkar Bihar University, has been appointed the principal investigator by the UGC to assess the quality of water and arsenic level in Budhi-Gandak belt.

Mumtazuddin told The Telegraph: “The purpose of the project is to conduct research about the presence of arsenic and other toxic substance and pollutants in the river, for over a period of three years. The UGC has laid stress on the need for arsenic test because a large number of people who reside near the river suffer from skin diseases.”

Presence of arsenic also causes lung cancer, loss of sleep and hunger, regular constipation and indigestion.

A team of experts from the chemistry department, led by Mumtazuddin, will make an inspection tour of the districts in north Bihar. They would visit Motipur, Dholi and other rural pockets, where the level of pollutants, arsenic and toxic substances in the river water has increased in recent times. “Arsenic has been found in excessive quantity in Bhojpur district. This has baffled the expert and prompted the project,” said Mumtazuddin.

The purpose of the research is to suggest measure to purify the river water and check the level of arsenic and other pollutants, said Mumtazuddin. They will also investigate the presence of mercury, cadmium and andiron in the river water.