measurement of arsenic in water at its source

8/14/2019 Measurement of Arsenic in Water at Its Source

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AERENIC IN WATER; ESTIMATION AT

SOURCE, SUPPLY AND END USER

LEVEL,IN URBAN ISLAMABAD,A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY.

Dr. NELOFAR NAZIM

Student of MsPH(2009-2010)Health Services Academy


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What is Arsenic (As) Natural and abundant elementfound in soil, air, and water. It is a

notorious poisoning metalloid withatomic no 33 in the periodic table.

Tasteless,colorless and odorless.

Solubility Insoluble in water when in naturalform

Soluble in water when oxidized More toxic in this form

2 types Inorganic: usually with oxygen,

chlorine, or sulfur; most toxic (ex.arsenite)

Organic: usually with carbon orhydrogen (ex. di-methyl arsonic acid)


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Introduction; Arsenic is a growing

problem throughout the world.

Globally; Argentina,,chilli, china,india,mexico,unitedstate,veitnam,canada hungry,peuru,Romania etc

In Asia;Bangladesh,india,china,veitnam,compodia,myanmar,pakistan,nepal.(Epide

mic in Bangladesh in 1970) .35-77Million citizens at risk of arsenicpoisoning (Out of a pop. of 125 Million).

In pakistan;particularly in the central and southern parts of the country.In the province of Sindh,groundwater arsenic concentration has reached up

to 1100 g/l against WHO limits of 10 g/l. In the province of Punjab, over

20% and in the province of Sindh, around 36% of the population isexposed

to arsenic contamination above WHO limits

Bhawalpur,Rahimyar khan,multan, lahore,dado, khairpur,nawabshah,thatta.

The National Water Quality Monitoring Programme (NWQMP) under the

auspices of Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) in

its Fifth water quality monitoring report has revealed that in federal capitalonly 26 percent of water resources are safe to drink.


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Sources of Arsenic

; Natural sources include Weathering of rocks, Volcanic activity canadd ,Groundwater in contact with rocks that are high inarsenic ,animals and plants make organic arsenic compounds inoceans and Mining/smelting of copper, gold, lead and zinc ores.Wastewater from industries , Medical use of arsenic, Woodpreservation (greenish CCA pressure treated wood is treated withchromated copper arsenate, an arsenic and chromium containingpreservative (70% of world Arsenic pollution), Pesticide use andBurning materials with arsenic .

Natural and abundant element found in soil, air, and water.

It is a known carcinogenic

Mode of testing; for recent exposure, in urine and blood

for chronic exposure; hair nail and skin, usuallycaused by water exposure


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Health effects; Arsenicosis

Various cancers: skin, lung, bladder, kidney, liver Heart attacks and strokes

Melanosis: spotting of the skin, blemishes, etc.

Keratosis: hardening of palms and soles, ulcers, Black foot.

Hepatomegaly: liver enlargement

Splenomegaly: spleen enlargement Ascitis: abdominal fluid

Death

Social Problems

Arsenicosis victims are rejected from society. The impact of arsenicextends from immediate health effect to extensive social andeconomic hardship that effects especially the poor. Costs of healthcare, inability of affected persons to engage in productive activitiesand potential social exclusion are important factors.


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Treatment option; Treatment is limited.

Consumption of only arsenic free water

can prevent

Removal or prevention techniques; According to EPA coagulation filtration process. co-

precipitation, ion exchange and activated alumina filtration. The

technology for arsenic removal for piped water supply is

moderately costly and requires technical expertise.

Removal systems have been made by using locally

available housing and PCRWR developed filter

media

Three options were considered:1.Clay Pitcher Arsenic Removal Filter

2.Gravity Flow Arsenic Removal Cartridge Filter

3.Arsenic Removal Cartridge Filter


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Aim:

To improve the quality of water supply and prevent people from

hazards of arsenic in urban Islamabad.

ObjectivesOF THIS STUDY ARE TO:1. measure the quality of drinking water in Islamabad capital

territory, by measuring the arsenic at source level, supplyand end user level.

2. prevent arsenic related health hazards

3. check the efficiency of filtration plant.


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Rationale

My study will be helpful in the strengthening of health system

for surveillance and management of arsenicosis. In the

reduction of morbidity and mortality due to Arsenicosis. and

If arsenic found in drinking water advocacy campaign can be

started.

Operational definition;

Cut off value; According to W.H.O cut off limits are 0.01mg/L.


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Variable of interest;

Arsenic level in water both at consumer and delivery

level

METHODOLOGY;

Study design; Descriptive type of study Duration of study; Three month

Sample estimation; on 50% population

n=P(1-P)/e2

=0.5(1-0.5)/(.05)2

= 100


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Study area; I-8 sector.

Study sample; 3 from the source, 3 from the pipe line

and100 from households.

Sampling technique; simple random selection, 25 from

each 4 sub-sectors.

Inclusion criteria; All the households agree to give

sample and using water from CDA.

Exclusion criteria;All the households not agree to give

sample,using well water,Nestle or other.


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Data collection procedure

According to National instituteof health guideline; They givesterilized bottles which isusually of 750ml for chemicals.First sterilized the tap anddiscard initial water then collect

water. Arsenic checked by a kit (by

Merc) in the field and can besent to lab.

Data analysis; mean, stdev, willbe calculated. Mean of the

household level will be comparewith the mean of source andsupply. Data entry and analysiswill be performed by spss.

Source

Water

supply

Consu

mer

level

no of samples %


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Proposed budget; Rs; 37,370

Proposed timeline:

3 months

PROPOSED TIMELINE:

Duration: 3 months.

ActivityPerson

ResponsibleApril2009

May2009

J une2009

Proposal writing andQuestionnaireDevelopment.

PrincipalResearcher

Field testing ofquestionnaire.Principal

Researcher

Data collection.Principal

Researcher

Data analysis. PrincipalResearcher

Report writing andSubmission ofDissertation.

PrincipalResearcher


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Ethical consideration:

Informed consent will be obtained from all the

participants after explaining to them, the nature of

study.

Confidentiality of all information obtain will beensured.

General ethical principals including respect for

persons will be observed.


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Expected recomentations

A number of governmental technical and advisory committees shouldbe formed and a co-coordinating mechanism should be establishedamong the interested external support agencies. These committeesinclude the Governmental Arsenic Co-coordinating Committee headedby the Minister of Health.

One of the positive outcomes of this collaboration (including workwith local institutes) has been the testing of new types of treatment

technologies. So far, many initiatives have focused on water quality testing and

control with a view to supplying arsenic-free drinking-water, therebyreducing the risk of further arsenic-related disease.

The amount of testing required and the need to provide effectivefeedback to end users, suggest use of field testing kits.

Only a few proven sustainable options are available to provide safedrinking-water in our country. These include: obtaining low-arsenicgroundwater through accessing safe shallow groundwater or deeperaquifers (greater than 200 m); rain water harvesting; pond-sand-filtration; household chemical treatment; and piped water supply fromsafe or treated sources.


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Clay Pitcher Arsenic Removal Filter

Housing: Clay Pitchers

Capacity: 20 L

No. of holes: 10 -12 (1.0 mm diameter)As contamination: 300 g/L

Material:

Silver coated sand (2.0 kg)

Arsenic removal media developed by PCRWR(3.0 kg)

Cast iron turnings (3.0 kg)

Plain sand


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RATIONALE;

To reduce the morbidity and mortality.

Decrease risk factors for exposure to arsenic.

Strengthening the health system for surviellence

and management of arsenicosis. Prevent people from skin diseases and cancers.


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In Pakistan

1978 water sources contained arsenicconcentration up to 10 ppb

209 sources remained between 10-50 ppband 31 sources had arsenic concentration

level above 50ppb. Dadu, Khairpur, Nawabshah and Thatta

,multan bhawalpur districts had relativelyhigher number of water sources with highconcentration of arsenic,

Situation could be alarming as other districtsmight also have arsenic contaminated watersources.


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Natural sources

Weathering of rocks

Volcanic activity can add

Groundwater in contact with rocks that are high in

arsenic animals and plants make organic arsenic

compounds in oceans

Mining/smelting of copper, gold, lead and zinc ores.

Medical use of arsenic Wastewater from industries

Pesticide use

Sources of Arsenic


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Medical Effects of Arsenic

Arsenic poisoning is called arsenicosis Mode of testing people for arsenicosis

Recent exposure: urine

Instant exposure: blood

Chronic exposure: hair, nails, and skin (usually caused by watercontamination)

Illnesses resulting from arsenicosis Various cancers: skin, lung, bladder, kidney, liver

Heart attacks and strokes

Melanosis: spotting of the skin, blemishes, etc.

Keratosis: hardening of palms and soles, ulcers

Hepatomegaly: liver enlargement

Splenomegaly: spleen enlargement

Ascitis: abdominal fluid

Death

Social Problems Arsenicosis victims are rejected from society


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Health RisksArsenic poisoning appears after 10 years of consumption as

arsenicosis

Can lead to:


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AIM:

to improve the quality of water supply

in urban Islamabad"

measurement of arsenic in water at its source

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