Final answer:
The current leading cause of disease in Bangladesh is Arsenic Contamination in Groundwater. The well-intentioned installation of millions of wells has led to widespread health issues due to arsenic in the groundwater, which has had dire health and social consequences. The correct option is B.
Step-by-step explanation:
The current leading cause of disease in Bangladesh is Arsenic Contamination in Groundwater. Unfortunately, while the installation of wells was intended to provide a clean source of drinking water by avoiding contaminated surface water, many of these wells accessed groundwater with high levels of naturally occurring arsenic. The chronic exposure to arsenic leads to a range of health issues, including skin lesions, cancer, and other organ diseases.
Villagers began exhibiting symptoms related to arsenic poisoning in the 1970s, and by 1993, it was evident that a significant percentage of wells were contaminated. Reports describe not only the physical health impacts but also the social consequences of this widespread problem, such as social isolation and stigma for affected individuals.
Despite improvements to water supply systems, the global water crisis continues to affect billions, particularly in peripheral countries where waterborne diseases like cholera, typhoid, and diarrhea are prevalent due to unsanitary conditions. Arsenic poisoning in Bangladesh is considered one of the largest mass poisonings in history, as millions of people have been affected by regularly consuming water with toxic levels of arsenic.