Hand pumps have been promoted by aid agencies and the government for the past 20 years. The world helped Bangladesh solve its problem of diseased water. It's a country where millions used to die from water-borne diseases. But evidence now suggests the water contains arsenic, which is killing Bangladeshis. In Kutubpur, villager Garribukler has 35 times the safe level of arsenic. His hair and skin samples are analysed with chilling results. Doctor Roy says he's likely to get cancer due to the arsenic in his skin. Other villagers show the stone-like beads covering their bodies, a sign of poisoning. Now Bangladeshis face a nightmarish dilemma, partly of the international aid agencies' making. They must either drink polluted water or risk a slow, painful death by arsenic poisoning. Deepak Bajracharya of UNICEF calls it psychological trauma. "Drinking water is a basic need. We don't want this symbol of life turned into death."

Produced by ABC Australia