Difference between revisions of "Hearing from the water expert."

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Arsenic is mostly found in the Ganga Delta Plain and Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh.
 
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In Karnataka, it can be found in the regions of Kolar and Raichur.
 
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Geogenic Reasons (natural reasons): Arsenic Pyrites, which is a combination of arsenic + iron, 10-80meters from ground surface.
 
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In the 70s, hand pumps were built, which were shallow in depth (40-60meters). It triggered off a redox reaction which leached out iron and arsenic.
 
 
   
 
   
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Aquifers: aquifers can store and transfer water underground. Arsenic brought down to the valleys from the Himalayas mixed with the water. The water started getting trapped underground.
 
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G.M.B: Ganga, Meghna and Brahmaputra Plain which consists of 500sq. Kilometers has 600 million people who are at risk of arsenic poisoning and need to be informed.
 
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Places which have arsenic contamination are mainly Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Eastern Utter Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka and Assam. Out of these places, Karnataka and Chhattisgarh have contamination due to unnatural reasons- gold mines, while the rest are a part of G.M.B.
 
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Gold Mines leach out iron and arsenic during the process of roasting, which is while all theareas with gold mines have red deposits.
 
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Deposits left over are either thrown on land or in water. All water bodies have strong groundwater connections; therefore the arsenic spreads from rivers and lakes into aquifers.
 
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Favouring: It’s the direction in which water flows. Hypothetically, there is 0.3mg/l of arsenic present in bore wells and 0.5mg/l of arsenic present in rivers.
 
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Why are the levels different? Air contains oxygen, and oxygen reduces arsenic.
 
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As+5 is more stable and less toxic, whereas As+3 is less stable and more toxic.
 
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As+3 is present in bore wells and hand pumps because they don’t come in contact with air.
 
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Arsenide (As+3) + Air (oxidation)-most of the arsenic gets oxidized- stable oxidation stage= Arsenate (As+5) which is non toxic. Arsenate has more atomic weight which makes it sink to the bottom of the water body. Therefore it is most important to test groundwater sources.
 
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EXISTING KITS:  The kits already out in the market are- MERCK, Hach and Developing Alternatives.
 
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Allowed level of arsenic in drinking water is 10mg/l, by the B.I.S (Bureau of Indian Standards) developed in 2003.
 
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Most sources will have 10-100mg/l. The kit therefore will have to be able to test the above level without dilution so that anyone can test it. 1-100mg/l without dilution in ideal.
 
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Existing kits cannot detect the above levels. Their range limit is 50mg/l. They cannot test beyond that.
 
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WHAT WE NEED TO KEEP IN MIND WHILE DESIGNING OUR KIT:
 
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>Precision.
 
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>Target user.
 
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>Why would people use our kit?
 
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>Figure out the limitations of detection- level of concentration detectable.
 
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>How valid/valuable will the kit be?
 
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> Buy previous kits and test them out and compare them with our kit. Then check for 100mg/l or lower and see whether our kit is better at testing.
 
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>Find a layman and make him test a sample using our kit to check whether he can do it correctly.
 
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>Tweak the kit accordingly.
 
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QUESTIONS THAT WERE ASKED:
 
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Q. Who uses the kits?
 
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The existing kits lack sensitivity and precision in their detection.
 
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>State Government- Block or District level. The labs are either nonexistent or dysfunctional.
 
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Solution: Identify dysfunctional Labs in India through I.M.I.S (Integrated Management Information System). Find students who can help us- Jadavpur University, A. N. College, Patna.
 
  
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Q. What happens with the information?
+
<p>Arsenic is found  in eight states in India ( Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Eastern Utter Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka and Assam)  In Karnataka, it can be found in the regions of Kolar and Raichur.</p>
  
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>Sample is collected and the results come to the blocks. The coordinator uploads the information in the I.M.I.S every three months.
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<b>Reasons for arsenic contamination:</b>
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West Bengal for example has 650 Labs in 170 Blocks which are run by NGOs.
 
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N.R.C- National Resource Center- the water quality advisor has to answer questions and upload data.
 
  
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Q. How often does water need to be checked?
+
<i>Geogenic Reasons (natural reasons):</i>
 +
<p>Arsenic Pyrites, which is a combination of arsenic + iron, 10-80 m from ground surface.
 +
Unnatural - arsenic leached out due borewells, goldmines</p>
  
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>At least quarterly.
+
<i>Aquifers:</i>
 +
<p>Aquifers can store and transfer water underground. Arsenic brought down to the valleys from the Himalayas mixed with the water. The water started getting trapped underground. In the 1970s, hand pumps were introduced by the government that were shallow in depth (40-60 m) causing redox reaction leaching out iron and arsenic.</p>
 +
<p>G.M.B: Ganga, Meghna and Brahmaputra Plain which consists of 500 sq. Kilometers has 600 million people who are at risk of arsenic poisoning.</p>
  
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KEEP IN MIND/FACTS:
+
<p>Only two states aren't part of the  plain - Karnataka and Chattisgarh where gold mining is present. Gold Mines leach out iron and arsenic during the process of roasting, leaving the soil red. Deposits left over are either thrown on land or in water. All water bodies have strong groundwater connections; therefore the arsenic spreads from rivers and lakes into aquifers.</p>
  
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>ALPHA (American Publication Handbook) Find out how to prepare high concentration of Arsenic. Then dilute it to fit your level of  
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<p>Due to oxidization arsenic is more stable in rivers and lakes than groundwater. Since the atomic weight is more arsenic sinks to the bottom of the water body as opposed to bore wells.</p>
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concentration. Test the same sample with all kits.
 
  
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>Lassi making- use similar process when you have to drink water from arsenic infested area.
 
  
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>Reverse osmosis could also be used.
+
<b>Existing kits:</b>  MERCK, Hach and Jaal Tara Testing Kit.
 +
<p>Allowed level of arsenic in drinking water is 10 mcg/l, by the B.I.S (Bureau of Indian Standards) developed in 2003. Most sources have up to 100 mcg/l. The kit we are developing therefore will have to be able to test the up to 100 mcg/l without dilution so that anyone can test it. Existing kits cannot detect the concentration below 50 mcg/l precisely. Their range limit is 50mg/l.</p>
  
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>Ware security plans have to be improved, instead of spending 130 Crores which is the amount currently being spent.
 
  
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IMPORTANT:
+
<b>WHAT WE NEED TO KEEP IN MIND WHILE DESIGNING OUR KIT:</b>
  
−
>Kit Sensitivity: cannot detect bigger differences in smaller concentration.
+
<ul>
 +
<li>Precision</li>
 +
<li>Target user</li>
 +
<li>Why would people use our kit?</li>
 +
<li>Limitations of detection  level of concentration detectable</li>
 +
<li>How valid/valuable will the kit be?</li>
 +
<li>Buy previous kits and test them out and compare them with our kit. Then check for 100mg/l or lower and see whether our kit is better at testing that level.</li>
 +
<li>Find a layman and make him test a sample using our kit to check whether he can do it correctly.</li>
  
−
>Precision: every time you test, the numbers have to be the same.
 
  
−
>Low user interface.
+
<b>QUESTIONS THAT WERE ASKED:</b>
  
−
>Detection Limit: what the kit cannot respond to/detect.
+
<ul>
 +
<li><b><p>Who uses the kits?</p></b>
 +
<p>State Government- Block or District level. The labs are either nonexistent or dysfunctional.Solution: Identify dysfunctional Labs in India through I.M.I.S (Integrated Management Information System). Find students who can help us- Jadavpur University, A. N. College, Patna.</p></li>
  
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>Lower range of concentration, high sensitivity and concentration.
+
<li><b><p>What happens with the information?</p></b>
 +
<p>Sample is collected and the results come to the blocks. The coordinator uploads the information in the I.M.I.S every three months. West Bengal for example has 650 Labs in 170 Blocks which are run by NGOs. N.R.C- National Resource Center- the water quality advisor has to answer questions and upload data.</p></li>
  
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>Find out U.V Range.
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<li><b><p>How often does water need to be checked?</p></b>
 +
<p>At least quarterly.</p></li>
 +
</ul>
  
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> Talk to AWOG (Swiss Institute)- the develop biosensors.
 
  
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>Divide contamination in different ranges to see how the Kit performs in all the ranges.
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<b>Important Points</b>
  
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LITERATURE REVIEW:
+
<ul>
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>Draw conclusions.
+
<li>Kit Sensitivity: cannot detect bigger differences in smaller concentration.</li>
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>Compare notes.
+
<li>Precision: every time you test, the numbers have to be the same.</li>
−
>Figure out usability.
+
<li>Low user interface.</li>
−
>Everybody should be able to use the kit.
+
<li>Detection Limit: what the kit cannot respond to/detect.</li>
 +
<li>Find out U.V range.</li>
 +
<li>Divide contamination in different ranges to see how the kit performs in all the ranges.</li>
 +
<li>Lassi making (an Indian yogurt based drink) - uses a process for oxidation which can be used purify drinking water from arsenic infested areas.</li>
 +
<li>Reverse osmosis could also be used.</li>
 +
<li>ALPHA (American Publication Handbook) Find out how to prepare high concentration of Arsenic. Then dilute it to fit your level of concentration. Test the same sample with all kits.</li>
 +
</ul>

Latest revision as of 09:15, 15 March 2013


Arsenic is found in eight states in India ( Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Eastern Utter Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka and Assam) In Karnataka, it can be found in the regions of Kolar and Raichur.

Reasons for arsenic contamination:

Geogenic Reasons (natural reasons):

Arsenic Pyrites, which is a combination of arsenic + iron, 10-80 m from ground surface. Unnatural - arsenic leached out due borewells, goldmines

Aquifers:

Aquifers can store and transfer water underground. Arsenic brought down to the valleys from the Himalayas mixed with the water. The water started getting trapped underground. In the 1970s, hand pumps were introduced by the government that were shallow in depth (40-60 m) causing redox reaction leaching out iron and arsenic.

G.M.B: Ganga, Meghna and Brahmaputra Plain which consists of 500 sq. Kilometers has 600 million people who are at risk of arsenic poisoning.

Only two states aren't part of the plain - Karnataka and Chattisgarh where gold mining is present. Gold Mines leach out iron and arsenic during the process of roasting, leaving the soil red. Deposits left over are either thrown on land or in water. All water bodies have strong groundwater connections; therefore the arsenic spreads from rivers and lakes into aquifers.

Due to oxidization arsenic is more stable in rivers and lakes than groundwater. Since the atomic weight is more arsenic sinks to the bottom of the water body as opposed to bore wells.


Existing kits: MERCK, Hach and Jaal Tara Testing Kit.

Allowed level of arsenic in drinking water is 10 mcg/l, by the B.I.S (Bureau of Indian Standards) developed in 2003. Most sources have up to 100 mcg/l. The kit we are developing therefore will have to be able to test the up to 100 mcg/l without dilution so that anyone can test it. Existing kits cannot detect the concentration below 50 mcg/l precisely. Their range limit is 50mg/l.


WHAT WE NEED TO KEEP IN MIND WHILE DESIGNING OUR KIT:

  • Precision
  • Target user
  • Why would people use our kit?
  • Limitations of detection level of concentration detectable
  • How valid/valuable will the kit be?
  • Buy previous kits and test them out and compare them with our kit. Then check for 100mg/l or lower and see whether our kit is better at testing that level.
  • Find a layman and make him test a sample using our kit to check whether he can do it correctly.


    • QUESTIONS THAT WERE ASKED:

    • Who uses the kits?

      State Government- Block or District level. The labs are either nonexistent or dysfunctional.Solution: Identify dysfunctional Labs in India through I.M.I.S (Integrated Management Information System). Find students who can help us- Jadavpur University, A. N. College, Patna.

    • What happens with the information?

      Sample is collected and the results come to the blocks. The coordinator uploads the information in the I.M.I.S every three months. West Bengal for example has 650 Labs in 170 Blocks which are run by NGOs. N.R.C- National Resource Center- the water quality advisor has to answer questions and upload data.

    • How often does water need to be checked?

      At least quarterly.


    Important Points

    • Kit Sensitivity: cannot detect bigger differences in smaller concentration.
    • Precision: every time you test, the numbers have to be the same.
    • Low user interface.
    • Detection Limit: what the kit cannot respond to/detect.
    • Find out U.V range.
    • Divide contamination in different ranges to see how the kit performs in all the ranges.
    • Lassi making (an Indian yogurt based drink) - uses a process for oxidation which can be used purify drinking water from arsenic infested areas.
    • Reverse osmosis could also be used.
    • ALPHA (American Publication Handbook) Find out how to prepare high concentration of Arsenic. Then dilute it to fit your level of concentration. Test the same sample with all kits.
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