China lays out timetable for arsenic poisoning control

Taiyuan, 26 Nov - An official of Ministry of Health said on Thursday that China will provide safe drinking water and safe stoves for 500,000 people affected by arsenic poisoning by 2006.

By 2010, when the distribution map of arsenic poisoning is completed, all afflicted population will be provided safe drinking water and safe stoves, Xiao Donglou, deputy director of the ministry's disease control department, clarified the timetabel at the Water Quality and Arsenic Mitigation international conference held here. Long-term consumption of arsenic, through water or air, can lead to skin cancer and ultimately death.