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An Integrated approach for Arsenic
Mitigation
Seminar on Drinking Water and Sanitation Security in Flood Prone Areas of North Bihar
Patna, Bihar
Dr. K. Vijaya Lakshmi
Development Alternatives
30th Nov 2011
Major Water Quality Issues
Surface Water• Eutrophication• Oxygen depletion• Ecological health• Bacteriological contamination Ground Water
• Fluoride• Nitrate• Arsenic• Iron• Salinity
Source: ibnlive.in.com
Arsenic Problem in Bihar
.
Natural contamination of groundwater with arsenic is a serious problem in India: Arsenic affected ground water in India
S No States Total Districts(Source: dolr.nic.in)
No of districts affected
1 Bihar 37 15
2 UP 70 3
4 West Bengal 19 9
5 Assam 27 3
6 Chhattisgarh 16 1
7 Manipur 9 4
Area of endemic states = 5,29,674 sq.km (approx)Population of endemic states = 359 million (approx)Potentiality exposed population = 50 million (approx) (Source NIH and CGWB)
Ground water Irrigational water soil
animal plants (agriculture produce)
Arsenic Pathways (water)
HumanRisk & Impact
Dangers of Arsenic Poisoning
Source: Alliance to end childhood lead poison and new wires…
The Denver Post
Hyperkeratosis Arsenic lesions on hands and feet
Source:www.lankaweb.com
Hyper pigmentationSource:www.peopleandplanet.com
Myths and Misconception
GOD’s Curse
Sin
Evil Spirit
Contagious Disease
Cancer
Leprosy
Economic Consequences
Increased time-cost of obtaining water
Additional expenses for arsenic free
water
Declined household income
Occupational changes
Descrimination in labour market/wage
Increasing deprivation of old age
people
Increased health expenditure
Declined food intake
New kind of “Poverty Trap”
Social Consequences
Social Discrimination
Women kept alone/isolated
Neighbours avoid
Girls face difficulty in
getting married
School drop out
Divorce
Retarded physical and
mental development
Affected believe “ Result of
Sin”
Economic Consequences
Technical Intervention – Immediate relief
The technology should be:
Affordable
Robust
Reliable
Easy to maintain
Socially acceptable
Environmentally sound
Should not degrade water quality or introduce pathogens
Should not require electricity
Development Alternative Initiative…… Jal-TARA Arsenic Filter
Can provide 15-20 litres per hour of arsenic free water (in safe
limits less than 50 ppb from 400 ppb).
Filter media : Iron based media, purify about 2000 litres water
with each set of media.
Handy, portable, easy to install at any site in rural, urban, semi-
urban and remote areas.
Capable of removing pathogens, turbidity and Iron along with
Arsenic contamination upto 90%.
Low cost maintenance
Maintenance does not require skilled labour.
Features:
Filter Maintenance
Minimum maintenance and generally, it is
recommended to be done once in 15-20 days.
Media is supplied by Technology and Action for
Rural Advancement (TARA), New Delhi on demand
through network partners or direct by TARA
Input and output filter water is tested by Arsenic test
kits. Jal TARA Arsenic test kit is also available with
Technology and Action for Rural Advancement
(TARA), New Delhi.
Filter Waste Disposal Mechanism
Suggested below are some methods, through which the collected waste can be disposed off with reference to:
•It is suggested that sludge generated in the treatment can be used in fired brick making process (please refer to Effect of Arsenic - Iron Sludge in brick making by Md Adur Rouf and Md. Delwar Hossain, Bangladesh)
•Sludge can be utilized in road construction work as a binder (technical report) EAWAG, SDC May04, www.eawag.ch/Publications
•Cow dung can be added to sludge and buried under soil. From A simple device to remove arsenic from ground water by Dipankar Chakraborti , School of Environmental Studies Jadavpur University, Calcutta 700032, India
Jal -TARA Arsenic testing kit
Jal- TARA Arsenic testing Kit (to tests the presence of Arsenic in water. It
has a minimum detection limit of 10 ppb ( as per WHO permissible limit) and
the range of testing extends beyond 300 ppb. It can simultaneously test for two
samples in 15 minutes)
Field Applications Arsenic filters
Arsenic filters field testing is done through three local NGO
partners
Samta,
Kosi Sewasaden,
Water Action
(Meghpyne Abhiyan movement members)
April 2011 to till date 9 filters installed in field
1. Bettiah – 3 no
2. Khagaria- 4 nos.
3. Saharsa - 2 nos.
Water quality and Health Assessment of Khap Tola Village
A Study report of Megh Pyne Abhiyan Panchayat - South TelhuaBlock –Nautan, West Champaran, Bihar Done on 17th April 2011
The water quality study indicates high level of arsenic content in the
sample water between 200-400 ppb.
The common diseases in the village are:
Skin lesion,
Gastrointestinal disorder,
Patches on different parts of body like face and leg,
Skin itching etc.
Red eyes and burning sensation.
Results
About 2500 liters to
3000 liters Arsenic free
water filtered (200 ppb
to less than 10 ppb As)
from each Jal TARA
Arsenic filters
Filters are still in use
Good response from
community
Villagers wants more
filters.
Arsenic filter field validation in Bihar
Arsenic contaminated GW mapping of India is available with its regular
updates through various agencies/ scientists based on:
o Water testing
o Health & clinical survey of affected groups
Preventive work from GW Arsenic effects have been suggested & applied at
many places as problem mitigation mainly by technical interventions at
point of use approach.
Few post affected medical treatment options also indicated in health studies
of sufferers.
Cases of Arsenic inducement in food chain (agriculture produce) also
established in research studies of the areas.
DST is supporting many field As projects for new As removal media and As
filter development under WTI scheme.
(Sources: Arsenic & Health Bibliography ENVIS Centre of NIOH Ahmedabad
Knowledge on Arsenic
Combat the arsenic toxicity: Integrated approach through knowledge application
Understanding of exact magnitude of the problem of
the targeted area (through primary data or
secondary data) o Understanding of targeted community As exposure level
(exposure measurement)
o Major arsenic contributing pathways to people of selected
area (water & food)
o Affected people identification
Combat the arsenic toxicity: Integrated approach of knowledge application….(continue)
Technical interventiono Using As filters at point of use
o As contaminated source identification
o Regular surveillance of As contributing pathways
Clinical health survey
Capacity building tools/ package development
o Community
o Village & Community workers
o Health workers/Village doctors
Trainings to various stakeholders for mass awareness
Involvement of state and local/village government officials/ NGO/School
teachers, students in the programme
Application of following integrated approach
Capacity building
Simple health indicator tips for identification of victims (impact
assessment tool )
IEC material in local language
Other awareness components – Street play, Videos, puppet show,
local songs etc.
Water literacy
Promotion of other As free water sources (surface, rain water
harvesting)
Water testing and water management.
Information on local food supplement for As impact prevention for
people under Arsenic exposure risk
Arsenic victims treatment options
Basic aim is to collect & compile all relevant available informations & transform them to the level of local stake holders awareness/sensitization
How To Avoid Chronic Arsenic Poisoning
Chronic arsenic poisoning may be avoided by eating foods that
contain sulfur. These foods can help eliminate arsenic from your
body.
Eggs
Onions
Garlic
Beans
Legumes
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Source: DMSA Chelation
Water Monitoring & Management by TARA
Jal TARA Water Testing Kit TARA Aquacheck Vials
Jal TARA water filter (Community level) for bacteria, turbidity & Iron removal