subject: Digital arsenic field kit - CSIR - NEERI Technology [print this page] Digital arsenic field kit - CSIR - NEERI Technology
Recently I visited CSIR technofest 2010 showcased by Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, New Delhi, at India International Trade Fair in New Delhi, the Capital of India. In this technofest, I have seen a technology "Digital Arsenic Field Kit" which was developed by NEERI (National Environmental Engineering Research Institute), Nagpur, under the aegis of CSIR, New Delhi, India.
What is arsenic?
Arsenic is a member of the nitrogen family and it is a semi-metal. It is odorless and tasteless. Consumption of food and water are the major sources of arsenic exposure for the majority of people. People may also be exposed to many arsenic industrial sources and arsenic is used in semiconductor manufacturing, petroleum refining, wood preservatives, animal feed additives, and herbicides.
Arsenic can combine with other elements to form inorganic and organic arsenicals. In general, inorganic derivatives are regarded as more toxic than the organic forms. While food contains both inorganic and organic arsenicals, primarily inorganic forms are present in water. Exposure to arsenic at high levels poses serious health effects as it is a known human carcinogen. In addition, it has been reported to affect the vascular system in humans and has been associated with the development of diabetes.
Unfortunately the health effects of even very low levels of arsenic in drinking water are serious leading to a variety of conditions collectively known as arsenicosis. For many affected individuals the conditions only become noticeable after many years of drinking water contaminated with even very low Arsenic levels.
The World Health Organization recommends a guideline value of 10 g/l arsenic in drinking water for prevention of long term health issues.
Symptoms of arsenic poisoning
Arsenic is a naturally occurring contaminant of ground water in several areas of the world. Observable symptoms of arsenic poisoning are: thickening and discoloration of the skin, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, numbness in hands and feet, partial paralysis, and blindness.
Many water treatment technologies are available to reduce arsenic from drinking water:
1.Activated alumina filters
2.Anion exchange
3.Distillation
4.Reverse Osmosis
5.Nanofiltration
6. Iron Oxide Filters
Before using the water treatment technologies, we should the know arsenic measurement of water and its effect.
Digital arsenic field kit
A portable and innovative arsenic field kit with digital display for on-site screening of water sources for contamination of arsenic has been designed and developed by NEERI. The kit is battery operated and can be easily used for field measurement of arsenic. The kit has been subjected to laboratory and field evaluation and is found to be very precise and accurate. It is very sensitive in the range of 10 ppb to 100 ppb, 10 ppb being the WHO standard permissible value for arsenic in drinking water.
This kit can take anywhere you want. The water in the areas can be tested with this digital arsenic field kit.
The below links may be useful for more details and information
