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Green for Blue
A Long term oral exposure to arsenic via drinking water can cause cancer of the skin, lungs, urinary bladder and kidneys. The first changes usually take the form of skin pigmentation (indicator of arsenic poisoning). Increased risk of lung and bladder cancer and skin lesions have been observed at arsenic concentration of even less than 0.05 mg/L of drinking water. Arsenic contamination cases have been reported from many parts of the world such as Argentina, Chile, Ghana, Hungary, Mexico, Taiwan, Thailand and the United States of America. A number of regions in Asia, most notably the Gangetic delta in Bangladesh and West Bengal, have reported high concentration of arsenic in groundwater. Hence, finding new ways to tackle the growing challenges of accessing arsenic free safe drinking water has become a priority in many countries. While looking at options for arsenic removal technologies for safe and clean drinking water, it is also desirable that these technologies be ‘Green’ and ‘Clean’. In this way these needs can be met sustainably not only in the present but also in the long term future. |
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Arsenic contamination of drinking water has been reported from many parts of the world including many states in India. The problem is particularly severe in 15 districts of Bihar where the poorer sections dependent on government hand pumps are particularly affected, with arsenic levels of 200-400 ppb/litre. Currently there are very few affordable arsenic removal technologies in the market. The Jal-TARA Arsenic Filter has a great potential to help in tackling the problem of arsenic contamination of water. It does not require electricity or chemicals to work and hence is a truly green offline solution. It is easy to install and one set of refill can provide up to 2000 litres of arsenic free water. |
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To provide the affected population with access to affordable water filtration technologies, Development Alternatives came up with an innovative point of use (POU) water purification system for removing arsenic, pathogens and turbidity from raw water. The Jal-TARA Arsenic Filter is a household level filter that provides 15-20 litres per hour of safe arsenic free water (with less than 50 ppb of arsenic as prescribed by IS 10500 1991). The Jal- TARA Arsenic Filter filters water under gravity. It does not require electricity or any chemical to work and hence is a truly off-line green solution ideal for remote rural locations. The Jal- TARA Arsenic Filter has a great potential to help people in tackling the problem of arsenic contaminated water. The filter was field validated in three of the worst affected districts (West Champaran, Khagaria and Saharsa) of Bihar. Singhasan Mahto, a 45 years old resident of Khaptola village in Champaran district has found many positive changes in his family’s life after using the Jal-TARA Arsenic Filter. Earlier not only had his health been steadily deteriorating but also his 16 year old daughter had developed pigmented patches on her skin. Mahto did not know why his family was suffering health problems until the water sample collected from his hand pump revealed a high concentration of arsenic of the level of 200-300 ppb. After five months of drinking water from the Jal-TARA Arsenic Filter (which was producing filtered water with arsenic level down to 20 ppb), the health of Mahto’s family and also of other people in his village registered a significant improvement. The number of new cases of skin diseases and stomach ailments came down significantly. q Arundhati Das
1. UNICEF & WHO, 2005 |
and care for the sick people.