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Arsenic
in Water: Causes & Effects
The
occurrence of arsenic in natural ground water is usually due to mineral
arsenopyrite, which is associated with sedimentary rocks and weathered
volcanic rocks. Fossil fuel, mineral deposits, mining wastes and geothermal areas are
other sources through which arsenic can occur in ground water. Also,
arsenic and its compounds are found in wastes from various industries
like glassware, ceramic, dye, petroleum and refining metallurgical, insecticides,
pesticides, fertilizers and inorganic chemicals which leaches into
ground water.
A prolonged consumption of arsenic contaminated water having concentration
of above 0.05 mg / l lead to arsenicosis. The manifestation of
arsenicosis in human body depends on (i) concentration of arsenic, (ii)
consumption of water and (iii) nutritional status and depending on these
conditions it takes 6 months to 8 years to exhibit sign of arsenicosis.
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Arsenic in Assam |
Action
Initiated on Arsenic Mitigation and Future Plan |
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Phase
wise manifestation of arsenicosis:
First
phase: sporadic patches (black & white in colour) in
chest and back called melanocis develops which is followed by hardening of
palm and toes and development of corn like black spot called keratosis.
Second
phase: the above symptoms are followed by severe cough,
asthmatic problems, general weakness as well as anemia.
Third
phase: the above complications ultimately leads to cancer of
liver, lungs etc.
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Arsenic in Assam
Recently
arsenic has been detected in ground water of one block of Dhemaji district
and three blocks of Karimganj district. Water samples of Hand Pump from
Majuli riverine island of Jorhat district and Mankachar area of Dhubri
district are also sent to UNICEF, Kolkata for getting the samples tested
through Atomic Absorption Photo Spectrometer, as such instrument is not
available in APHED laboratories. The detailed position of samples tested
and corresponding result are shown below:
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Name of District
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Name
of Block
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Nos.of Sample tested / sent for testing
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Nos.
of Sample exhibiting presence of Arsenic more than permissible
limit of 0.05 mg/l
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Water
Sample Testing Agency
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Dhemaji
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Sissiborgaon
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20
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3
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Bengal
Engineering College, Sivpur (WB) on behalf of UNICEF
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10
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9
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Forensic
Science Laboratory, Assam Guwahati - 19 |
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Total
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30
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12
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Karimganj
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South
Karimganj
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68
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27
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Bengal
Engineering College, Sivpur (WB) on behalf of UNICEF
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South
Karimganj
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3
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2
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School
of Environmental Studies, Jadavpur University, Kolkata
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North
Karimganj
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53
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5
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-Do-
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Patherkandi
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23
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3
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-Do-
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Badarpur
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3
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Nil
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-Do-
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Total
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150
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37
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Jorhat
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Majuli
Riverine Island
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10
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Result
awaited
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Sent
for testing to UNICEF, Kolkata
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Dhubri
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Mankachar
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15
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Result
awaited
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Sent
for testing to UNICEF, Kolkata
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