An Integrated approach for Arsenic Mitigation

Transcription

1 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

2 Major Water Quality Issues Surface Water Eutrophication Oxygen depletion Ecological health Bacteriological contamination Ground Water Fluoride Nitrate Arsenic Iron Salinity

3 Arsenic Problem in Bihar Source: ibnlive.in.com

4 Natural contamination of groundwater with arsenic is a serious problem in India: Arsenic affected ground water in India S No States Total Districts No of districts (Source: affected dolr.nic.in) 1 Bihar UP West Bengal Assam Chhattisgarh 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)

5 Arsenic Pathways (water) Ground water Irrigational water Human Risk & Impact animal plants (agriculture produce) soil

6 Dangers of Arsenic Poisoning Source: Alliance to end childhood lead poison and new wires The Denver Post

7 Hyperkeratosis Arsenic lesions on hands and feet Source:

8 Hyper pigmentation Source:

9 Myths and Misconception GOD s Curse Sin Evil Spirit Contagious Disease Cancer Leprosy

10 Social Consequences Economic Economic Consequences Consequences Social Discrimination Increased time-cost of obtaining water Women kept alone/isolated Additional expenses for arsenic free water Neighbours avoid Girls face difficulty in getting married Declined household income School drop out Descrimination in labour market/wage Divorce Increasing deprivation of old age people Retarded physical and mental development Affected believe Result of Sin Occupational changes Increased health expenditure Declined food intake New kind of Poverty Trap

11 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

12 Development Alternative Initiative Jal-TARA Arsenic Filter Features: Can provide 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, semiurban 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.

13 Filter Maintenance Minimum maintenance and generally, it is recommended to be done once in 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.

14 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, 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 , India

15 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)

16 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.

17 Water quality and Health Assessment of Khap Tola Village A Study report of Megh Pyne Abhiyan Panchayat - South Telhua Block Nautan, West Champaran, Bihar Done on 17th April 2011 The water quality study indicates high level of arsenic content in the sample water between 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.

18 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 filters. wants more

19 Arsenic filter field validation in Bihar

20 Knowledge on Arsenic 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

21 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

22 Combat the arsenic toxicity: Integrated approach of knowledge application.(continue) Application of following integrated approach Technical intervention o 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

23 Capacity building Basic aim is to collect & compile all relevant available informations & transform them to the level of local stake holders awareness/sensitization 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

24 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

25 Water Monitoring & Management by TARA Jal TARA Water Testing Kit Jal TARA water filter (Community level) for bacteria, turbidity & Iron removal TARA Aquacheck Vials

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