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