Dear Dr. Prosun Bhattacharya, Dr.Aftab Alam Khan, Dr.Badrul Imam, and Dr.Gunnar
Jacks:

You have collected and analyzed soil and groundwater data regarding the source
and the cause of the groundwater arsenic problem of Bangladesh and West Bengal
of India. I believe like everyone else, you have the same objective, i.e. to
find the source and cause of the groundwater arsenic poisoning and a solution to
the problem.

We would like to inform you that the criterion, the concept of "low sulfate
concentration in the groundwater" of the Bengal Basin, that you used for the
rejection of the oxidation theory is a misconception and an improper scientific
judgement. In order to accept or reject the oxidation/pyrite oxidation theory,
the conditions of the oxidation mechanism must be examined and verified with
adequate and reliable geological, hydrological, hydrogeological and geochemical
data/parameters. It appears that you did not examine the conditions of the
oxidation theory at all, and without proper investigation you rejected the
oxidation theory.

On the other hand you proposed the Oxyhydroxide Reduction theory as the main
mechanism responsible for releasing arsenic into the groundwater of BDP. We
examined this theory based on available geological, hydrological,
hydrogeological, geochemical, historical groundwater use data, and historical
medical data. According to our analysis, it appears that the oxyhydroxide
reduction theory is a wrong and misleading theory for the mobilization of
arsenic into the groundwater of Bangladesh and West Bengal of India.

Dear Doctors, we believe you are working on the arsenic problem of Bengal Basin
to help the people of Bangladesh and West Bengal of India and save them from the
arsenic disaster, but have you ever thought of about how the people of
Bangladesh and West Bengal of India are being misleaded and misguided by your
improper judgements?

We as your professional colleauges strongly feel that you need to immediately
re-examine and correct your data/criteria that you used for establishing the
oxyhydroxide reduction and rejecting the oxidation theories. I strongly believe
neither you, me, or any other scientists have the right to mislead millions of
arsenic poisoned people and the scientific community, due to the lack of
knowledge and experience to find the real cause of the groundwater arsenic
poisoning in Bangladesh and West bengal of India.

If you do not agree with my above explanation, I am respectfully requesting you
to explain:

1. Why the oxyhydroxide reduction theory will not be considered a wrong and
misleading theory for the mobilization of arsenic into groundwater of Bangladesh
and West Bengal of India?

2. Why the concept of the "low sulfate concentration in the groundwater of the
Bengal Basin" that you used as a main criterion for the rejection of the
oxidation theory will not be considered unscientific and an improper judgement?

Your answer to these questions are essential in order to find the real cause of
the arsenic poisoning and the solution to the arsenic disaster in Bangladesh and
West Bengal of India.

Respectfully,

Meer Husain
Environmental Geologist