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Toxic torts: arsenic poisoning in Bangladesh and the legal geographies of responsibility

Atkins, P.J.; Hassan, M.M.; Dunn, C.E.

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Authors

M.M. Hassan

C.E. Dunn



Abstract

Tubewells have been so popular in rural Bangladesh that about 12 million have been installed, yielding water that is convenient, free and low in bacteria. But every fourth well is polluted with arsenic, with the result that millions of people are exposed to a severe environmental hazard. We explore this crisis from the viewpoint of legal geographies. The case of Sutradhar v NERC is taken as an exemplar of a debate about 'proximity' between scientific consultants and aid donors on the one hand, and their clients in poor countries on the other. In short, the article is about the desirability of bringing responsibility into line with supposed generosity.

Citation

Atkins, P., Hassan, M., & Dunn, C. (2006). Toxic torts: arsenic poisoning in Bangladesh and the legal geographies of responsibility. Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers, 31(3), 272-285. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-5661.2006.00209.x

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date 2006-09
Deposit Date Apr 2, 2008
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers
Print ISSN 0020-2754
Electronic ISSN 1475-5661
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 31
Issue 3
Pages 272-285
DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-5661.2006.00209.x
Keywords Environmental health, Arsenic poisoning, Water, Bangladesh, Legal geography, Proximity, Toxic torts.

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The definitive version is available at www.blackwell-synergy.com




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