The inhabited people of these areas had lack of knowledge and awareness of using or preventing themselves from the dreadfulness of using arsenic-mixed drinking water . Though there are other resources for drinking like river water or pond water or rain water but due to lack of infrastructure pertaining to purification facility it was not possible to use them as source of drinking water, and so people had to depend for drinking purposes on these tube wells only. Most of the tube wells had fallen in the category of arsenic borne tube wells .The people did not know to get prevent from these arsenic contamination .So they unknowingly used to drink those poisoned water day by day as there was no alternative filtration process to achieve arsenic free water. By viewing all these miserable aspects of life of the poor villagers I took the initiative along with eleven other members to form a society to detect those unsafe tube wells ,aware the drawbacks , prevention of arsenic in drinking water and give effort to treat the arsenic affected people by medical treatments as far as possible. Considering the seriousness of this situation, we realized that we must take appropriate steps and sustained awareness programmes to educate the people on this issue. Thus in 7th Jan 2002, finally , the ARSENIC AWARENESS SOCIETY was formed . We have been organizing arsenic awareness programme in different villages of West Bengal for last five years. . A patient of chronic arsenicosis was first detected in West Bengal in the year 1982 at the school of Tropical Medicine of Calcutta. At this moment all over West Bengal about 7 million
Our Aim and Objective
Our objective is to save the unfortunate arsenic affected people in rural areas. Our aim , firstly , to guide, teach and impart proper knowledge and keep constant aware of the techniques and methods to prevent arsenic contamination in drinking water , secondly , to mitigate the arsenic contamination in water by applying different physical methods by supplying filter kits and chemicals substances . Finally, it is also our very gesture to look after the arsenic affected patients – to give them necessary medical advice and to guide them to get the facilities from Govt Hospitals .
Our Integrated Work Strategies
Integrated Program : The following strategies are taken for implementing of integrated program comprising of detection and testing , awareness , mitigation and medication :
A. Detection & Water Testing : As we all know the permissible range of arsenic in drinking water as per WHO guidelines is 0.01 mg/litre( though 0.05 mg/litre is taken as permissible amount in our country) . But while surveying in the district of Nadia at Block in Karimpur I we found there are presence of much higher level of arsenic in tube well drinking water. For example , in the mouzas Madhy Gopalpur and Tarapur in Karimpur- I arsenic levels found 0.237 mg/litre and 0.181 mg/litre in 23.47 meters and 21.95 meters depth tube wells respectively . So it is our first step in strategy formulation to make out the total number of tube walls in a particular village in a certain block and test the water of those tube walls by testing equipments – enables us to detect the number of tube walls affected by arsenic contamination. After detection of the arsenic prone tube wells – these tube wells are marked and aware the villagers not to use them for drinking purposes . If the tube wells containing arsenic are detected and effective communication can be established among the villagers to use the arsenic free water contains in tube wells , 50 % of the problem arising from arsenic contamination can be reduced or solved at the first stage of action .
B. Awareness & education : We realized that approximately 60 to 70% tube wells are made by private owners and in most of these tube wells the depth is within 80 to 120 feet and it is also found that arsenic is more prevalent at the depth of 80 to 100 feet. It may so happen that if in a village 20 tube wells are existing out of them 15 may have arsenic contaminated water (which can be detected by simple arsenic detecting kits-costing only INR. 20). Sometimes it is found that tube walls which are mostly not deep enough inside the ground affected by arsenic contamination , are mostly found in abundance and the safe water tube wells are very rare in number . So it is not possible for the villagers to depend on fewer tube well for safe drinking water . They have to learn the other / alternative ways to prevent arsenic contamination or use it effectively by decontamination process. In the awareness and education program we generally conduct camps at village level where we usually pass on awareness messages to general public and students to prevent arsenic contamination and demonstrate physically how to make water free from arsenic by using Bleaching powder and Alum .Finally the fresh water for drinking is obtained by filtration process which is done by separating the sedimentation part in the lower end in bucket by pouring the upper layers of water into the filtration equipment .
C. Mitigation : In Mitigation strategy we distribute the filter equipments which are made up of clay pots and filter candles. The cost taken from the villagers of the filters are varied – sometimes it is 50% subsidized or more according to the buying capacity(bulk quantity ) of the units of filters by any members of the villagers. By using these filters and decontamination method before-said people can avoid successfully the dreadfulness of victims of arsenicosis.
D. Medication: Though Testing , Awareness and Mitigation are the prime strategy in our activities , we are also arranging camps to provide treatment (possible by us )and further guide them to those who have already victimized by the arsenicosis to different Govt.Hospitals .As we know arsenicosis has an effect in several wide variety of diseases from skin to liver, lungs and kidney and most of them are the targets for cancer , so it is our inevitable part of strategy of action to try to facilitate for free medical advise and treatment within our limitation .
Formation of Community Groups : In the formation of the community groups when we impart training through our awareness camps , we select some people who were really interested in these voluntary activities to share or cooperate with us to provide or join in our awareness program camps to others in other places . These community people or group would ultimately take part in imparting awareness program camps and they would also select some people when they are promoting arsenic awareness process and so on . So there are a Network of people and the network of groups who spontaneously spread chain-wise like a tree-structure through out the Blocks and Villages to make successful awareness campaigns with our active direction through delegation and control and their effective team work and spirit .
Since it's inception many awareness programs and medical camps have been organized .For example :
On 5th May 2002 , (fig 8) in the arsenic awareness camp ,Block Development Officer of karimpur, Mr.Prasanta Bagchi who himself was a arsenicosis patient , had discussed the seriousness about the presence of arsenic in tube wells, Dr.Saurabh Kole also stressed about the endangered problem of Karimpur hospital Dr.Ashish Biswas and local practitioner Dr.Ashis Joarder stressed about the utility of awareness program is relevent with right time and right manner .The Chairman of Indian Water Workers Association and Head of Public Sanitation and Engineering Dept(AIIH&PH),Dr.Arunava Mazumdar and Bhaskar Banerjee demonstrate how to remove arsenic from arsenic contaminated water by simple technique .Many eminent personalities like Aparna Mondal – President Karimpur _I Panchyat Samity ,Nirnmal Bhattchariya -CI of Police Karimpur and Mr Santanu Palodhi – News Director Akaasbani , Kolkata had appreciated the effort of the society and assured to extend their helping hands in all respect in future .
On 10.6.2002 in Sikarpur block office and Sikarpur Girls’ High School, two awareness programs were organized . In Block office the program was presided by BDO and all the members of panchayet were present . In the Sikarpur Girl’s School the program had a huge response from the students and the teachers .There were 300 -400 peoples gathering in that campaign .
On 09.9.2002 there was a discussion cum awareness camp organized at Pannadevi College at Karimpur .Local Member Legislative Assembly Mr . Praffulla Bhaumick was present and on behalf of Public Health Engineering ,West Bengal Mr Bhairab Ganguly informed about the extent of arsenicosis in different parts of West Bengal. Principal of Pannadevi College Prof.Prabhat Kumar Biswas also discussed about the necessity of working hand in hand with the NGOs and Govt. Dev Dutta Mazumdar , medical officer (Arsenic Unit )–SSKM hospital had shown a slide show about arsenicosis .
In month of Dec 2003 , two camps were organized , one was in Narayanpur Club .Local Gram Panchayet members and members of the club were present . Another program was organized at Maishbathan Monoj Mohon VidyaMandir .The program was presided by the Head Master , Mr Dilip Kr.Mondal . He said that these type of program would definitely enhance the awareness on arsenic and water amongst the students .
On 30th March 2003 with the help of Indian Water Works Association a program was organized on “Water Elixir of Life” at Sister Nivedita School .Prof. Arunabha Mazumdar discussed different water borne diseases and explained the importance of portable water.
In the month April 2003 an awareness program at Gandharajpur was organized among the villagers .
On 16.7.2003 awareness program was program organized at Shikarpur High School .
On 30th May 2004 we, in association with Belle Vue Clinic through M.P. Birla Medical Research Centre made a camp for ‘Screening of heart disease in chronic arsenicosis patients’ at KarimpurHere in this camp necessary treatment was offered for the arsenic affected patients who all were suffering also from heart disease. Many eminent doctors from various streams of medicine were present in this camp. We arranged physical check up along with blood test, ECG, ECHO and eye examination including Fundoscopy ( done by the Eye specialist of Priyamboda Birla Eye Research Center) etc. for all the arsenic affected patients of this area. Medicine also was given to the patients who all had been affected with heart disease and necessary treatment was also provided. .. Along with Dr.Saurabh Kole many other eminent doctors like Dr.Rajat Dutta , Dr.Buddhiswar saha , Dr.Bani Mondal ,Dr.Amitabha Kundu , Dr.Salil Gupta were present . Patients from Nadia , Malda and Murshidabad came here . This program continued for after every 3 weeks for one and half year.
On 13.3.2005 a large medical camp was organized at Karimpur Shanti smriti Lodge . We also arranged for physical check up along with blood test,ECG and ECHO. In this program eminent doctors like Dr.Bani Mondal, Dr Ranendra Biswas , Dr.Partha saha , Dr.Saurabh Kole , Dr.Ashis Joardar , Dr Samir Roy ,Dr Rajat Dutta etc participated .
Apart from these , awareness program was conducted in every month in the villages like Goa Bari , Khanpur , Tai pur , Niranjan colony , Arab pur , Haripur , DhonerPara, Ramkrishna Pally etc throughout the year 2005 -06.
On 14 th Nov 2006 , in DighalKanti Panchayet in the presence of Panchayet Pradhan Kartik Mondal about 150 filters were distributed amongst the villagers . Recently , in the month of March 2007 , 3 people died due to chronic arsenicosis . A program was conducted there with the help of Karimpur II Block President .
On 4th April 2007 , at Shantipur Smriti Lodge , an arsenic awareness program was organized for the local doctors .Dr.Subroto Saha –Supdt of Karimpur Hospital &Dr.Bagchi –MO of the same hospital ,Dr.Saurav Sarkar and Dr.Saurabh Kole were the faculty members . All present in the program had expressed their deep concern about the severity of arsenicosis in the surrounding districts of Malda , Nadia and Murshidabad .
At present we are dealing with the arsenic affected people of Karimpur I & II Blocks in district Nadia and Some parts of Domkol block in Mushidabad district. We are now eager to enlarge our span of activities in the neighboring districts like Malda and Murshidabad throughout . As per our current integrated strategy we want to facilitate those areas by implementing testing and detection , conducting awareness camps and mitigation program and medical camps .
Finally, it is our expectation that in near future we could build an infrastructure, at karimpur, that can initially detect the early stages of cancer due to arsenicosis and later on establish a full fledged hospital and research centre for arsenicosis .
We take this opportunity to express our wish to open an Arsenic Research Centre at this place which should be having investigation and early diagnosis facilities of skin malignancies of Arsenicosis patients and to operate them if necessary and with the scope of plastic surgery. In this centre we would like to provide treatment for the Arsenicosis patient if any, as well as giving education to the village people about the danger of arsenic toxicity. We have realized with the experience of more than six years that many people could be saved from arsenicosis by simple awareness. We hope that our efforts to help the arsenic affected people will be appreciated by you and your kind cooperation will be extended to us.If every thing goes hand in hand according to plan , it is our belief that we can see a better , arsenic free West Bengal in the new forthcoming era .
Introduction Arsenic Awareness in West Bengal
We have been organizing arsenic awareness program in different villages of West Bengal for last Six years. Probably you are aware that Arsenicosis is a slow killing disaster of West Bengal. A patient of chronic arsenicosis was first detected in West Bengal in the year 1982 at the School of Tropical Medicine of Calcutta. At this moment all over West Bengal about 9 millions of people are the victims of this dreadful disease. About 6 years back we realized to fight against this disaster.
Our Team Effort
Coordinated efforts from the Health dept., Public Sanitation, Engineering Dept. and Education Dept. along with different NGO’s and Medical organizations are of immense importance to minimize the sufferings of arsenic effected victims. In our State such efforts should also be taken to curb this arsenic toxicity. As a part of this program, we have organized several programs with team comprising representatives from our society and Prof. Arunava Mazumdar, Mr. Bhaskar Banerjee and many others from All India Institute of Hygiene and Public Health, Dr.Debdutta Chatterjee of SSKM Hospital, Arsenic Clinic and Engineer, Mr. Bhairabh Chaterjee from public health engineering Dept. of West Bengal – in different parts of Nadia district. To give an example we had organized awareness programs (in the months of April, May and June 2002) at Karimpur and Nazipur where Block Development officer, IC of Karimpur P.S, representatives from local panchayats (Panchayat Pradhan Ms.Mukti Das and Upapradhan Ms. Archana Mandal ) and other NGOs Nazimpur Durjoy Sanghha and from the Arsenic Awareness Society -Mr.Anup Biswas , Mr. Debaprasad Sanyal , Mr.Partha Sarkar ,Mr.Piyush Kanti Saha, Mr.Asit Mondal , Mr.Gajen Mondal, Mr.Boloram Biswas ,Mr.Tarak De ,Mr Bivas Pal,Mr.Sujit Mondal and others, teachers and students from schools and colleges, Medical professionals and people from nearby villages participated.
How it is affected to human
More than 37% of our population in nine districts are using arsenic contaminated water. As a result, millions of people have already been affected. Arsenic toxicity which initially affects skin also damages lungs, kidney, liver, bladder and many other important organs of human body. Many people of West Bengal died from cancer liver, cancer bladder, cancer lung due to chronic arsenicosis.
Importance of toxicity of Arsenic as well as AIDS
Considering the seriousness of this situation, we realized that we must take appropriate steps and sustained awareness programs to educate the people on this issue. Although people of our state are cautious about the danger of AIDS but they are attaching less importance to arsenic toxicity, and we forget that the magnitude of Arsenic toxicity is much more than AIDS in our state. Other countries like Argentina, Mexico, Taiwan, China, Thailand, Chile, Bangladesh which are facing this problem have been able to control this menace because of continuous efforts by their Governments, along with other NGOs, Print media, Electronic media and common people.
Awareness regarding the de-contamination Methods and other preventive measures in arsenic stricken Areas
It has been observed that these awareness programs have been able to motivate the local people of the affected villages to face the challenge. They have been shown how to use arsenic contaminated water after filtering along with other necessary steps as given below.
a) To store the arsenic contaminated water for 24 hours because oxygen is much less in underground water. After storing the water for 12-24 hours, arsenic gets oxidized and settles at the bottom part. If the supernatant is filtered, approximately 50% to 60% of the arsenic can be removed from the water. b) to mix 2mg. Of bleaching powder and 40 mg. Of alum with 1 liter arsenic contaminated water. To stir it with a stick for one minute and to store it for 2 hours. The supernatant may be filtered further. This will give us 90-95% arsenic free water. In all cases, however, in the arsenic affected areas, tube well water must be tested with the help of arsenic detecting kits ( as per the guideline the water which
is found with arsenic level of .05 mg/litre, is not useable as potable water). We realized that approximately 60 to 70% tube wells are made by private owners and in most of these tube wells the depth is within 80 to 120 feet and it is also found that arsenic is more prevalent at the depth of 80 to 100 feet. It may so happen that if in a village 20 tube wells are existing out of them 10 may have arsenic contaminated water (which can be detected by simple arsenic detecting kits-costing only INR.20). People may be educated to avoid those tube wells and drink water from other tube wells. If it so happens in a village all the tube wells are having arsenic contaminated water by the simple techniques of purification (mentioned above) we can get almost arsenic free water. This simple education should be included at the Panchayats level. Arsenic detecting technique, the process of minimizing arsenic in arsenic contaminated water, how to make low cost filters etc. should be included in the school curriculum of arsenic affected areas. If possible through government and NGOs – deep tube wells, bigger plants for arsenic removal can also be planned. If possible, river water utilization can also be helpful. Education on rain water harvesting may be also helpful in the long run.
Principle of Method for Arsenic Detection through Arsenic Field Test kit
Mercuric Bromide Stain Method as adopted for detection ofArsenic ,as per Standard Literaturem can detect presence of Arsenic upto a minimum limit of 0.05 mg per litre . The principle adpoted for detection of the presence of arsenic in water in mercuric bromide stain method , is to first reduce the penta valent arsenic to trivalent arsenic by potassium iodide and Stannous Chloride , then this trivalent arsenic is allowed to react with Hydrogen ion (which would be generated by the reaction of Hydrocholoric acid and Zinc granules) to form arsine (AsH3).The arsine is passed through a Column containing a roll of cotton moistened with Lead Acetate solution.This generated arsine produces a yellow brown stain on test paper strips impregnated with mercuric bromide .
SURVEY REPORT
On 16th June 2019, myself along with other members of Arsenic Awareness Society and Sri Manas Ranjan Maity, Advisor of the said Project visited Muktadaha water treatment plant of Public Health engineering. Arsenic free water is supplied to Majlispur, Manikpur and Kalaberia villages in Karimpur from here.
There we met the villagers and discussed about the existing water supply system and enquired whether there was any prevalence of Arsenicosis in their area. On the same day we decided to organise a medical camp in a primary school in Manikpur on 18th August 2019 and informed the villagers to meet.
Our coordinators took all the initiative to arrange the camp in Manikpur by reaching almost all the villagers and ask them to attend the camp for health check up on the scheduled date 18th August 2019. We successfully arranged the medical camp in the primary school where almost 70 villagers attended and got examined from early morning till afternoon.
Representatives of Arsenic Awareness Society also surveyed the Kalaberia village and came to know many habitants are suffering from Arsenicosis.
Dr. P. K Das, renowned dermatologist with his team was requested to take part in the next medical camp held on 29th December 2019 at Kalaberia Prathamik Vidalaya, Karimpur.
Next we visited some villages of Debogram, Nadia and also came to know from the villagers that many of them are suffering from Arsenocosis still.
We arranged a camp on 15th March 2019 at the health centre in a village and after examining villagers who came to attend the medical camp, Arsenocosis patients were found in large numbers.
18th August 2019
Medical Camp at KALABERIA
On
29.12.2019
Our Aim and Objective
Our objective is to save the unfortunate arsenic affected people in rural areas. Our aim , firstly , to guide, teach and impart proper knowledge and keep constant aware of the techniques and methods to prevent arsenic contamination in drinking water , secondly , to mitigate the arsenic contamination in water by applying different physical methods by supplying filter kits and chemicals substances . Finally, it is also our very gesture to look after the arsenic affected patients – to give them necessary medical advice and to guide them to get the facilities from Govt Hospitals .
Our Integrated Work Strategies
Integrated Program : The following strategies are taken for implementing of integrated program comprising of detection and testing , awareness , mitigation and medication :
A. Detection & Water Testing : As we all know the permissible range of arsenic in drinking water as per WHO guidelines is 0.01 mg/litre( though 0.05 mg/litre is taken as permissible amount in our country) . But while surveying in the district of Nadia at Block in Karimpur I we found there are presence of much higher level of arsenic in tube well drinking water. For example , in the mouzas Madhy Gopalpur and Tarapur in Karimpur- I arsenic levels found 0.237 mg/litre and 0.181 mg/litre in 23.47 meters and 21.95 meters depth tube wells respectively . So it is our first step in strategy formulation to make out the total number of tube walls in a particular village in a certain block and test the water of those tube walls by testing equipments – enables us to detect the number of tube walls affected by arsenic contamination. After detection of the arsenic prone tube wells – these tube wells are marked and aware the villagers not to use them for drinking purposes . If the tube wells containing arsenic are detected and effective communication can be established among the villagers to use the arsenic free water contains in tube wells , 50 % of the problem arising from arsenic contamination can be reduced or solved at the first stage of action .
B. Awareness & education : We realized that approximately 60 to 70% tube wells are made by private owners and in most of these tube wells the depth is within 80 to 120 feet and it is also found that arsenic is more prevalent at the depth of 80 to 100 feet. It may so happen that if in a village 20 tube wells are existing out of them 15 may have arsenic contaminated water (which can be detected by simple arsenic detecting kits-costing only INR. 20). Sometimes it is found that tube walls which are mostly not deep enough inside the ground affected by arsenic contamination , are mostly found in abundance and the safe water tube wells are very rare in number . So it is not possible for the villagers to depend on fewer tube well for safe drinking water . They have to learn the other / alternative ways to prevent arsenic contamination or use it effectively by decontamination process. In the awareness and education program we generally conduct camps at village level where we usually pass on awareness messages to general public and students to prevent arsenic contamination and demonstrate physically how to make water free from arsenic by using Bleaching powder and Alum .Finally the fresh water for drinking is obtained by filtration process which is done by separating the sedimentation part in the lower end in bucket by pouring the upper layers of water into the filtration equipment .
C. Mitigation : In Mitigation strategy we distribute the filter equipments which are made up of clay pots and filter candles. The cost taken from the villagers of the filters are varied – sometimes it is 50% subsidized or more according to the buying capacity(bulk quantity ) of the units of filters by any members of the villagers. By using these filters and decontamination method before-said people can avoid successfully the dreadfulness of victims of arsenicosis.
D. Medication: Though Testing , Awareness and Mitigation are the prime strategy in our activities , we are also arranging camps to provide treatment (possible by us )and further guide them to those who have already victimized by the arsenicosis to different Govt.Hospitals .As we know arsenicosis has an effect in several wide variety of diseases from skin to liver, lungs and kidney and most of them are the targets for cancer , so it is our inevitable part of strategy of action to try to facilitate for free medical advise and treatment within our limitation .
Formation of Community Groups : In the formation of the community groups when we impart training through our awareness camps , we select some people who were really interested in these voluntary activities to share or cooperate with us to provide or join in our awareness program camps to others in other places . These community people or group would ultimately take part in imparting awareness program camps and they would also select some people when they are promoting arsenic awareness process and so on . So there are a Network of people and the network of groups who spontaneously spread chain-wise like a tree-structure through out the Blocks and Villages to make successful awareness campaigns with our active direction through delegation and control and their effective team work and spirit .
Since it's inception many awareness programs and medical camps have been organized .For example :
On 5th May 2002 , (fig 8) in the arsenic awareness camp ,Block Development Officer of karimpur, Mr.Prasanta Bagchi who himself was a arsenicosis patient , had discussed the seriousness about the presence of arsenic in tube wells, Dr.Saurabh Kole also stressed about the endangered problem of Karimpur hospital Dr.Ashish Biswas and local practitioner Dr.Ashis Joarder stressed about the utility of awareness program is relevent with right time and right manner .The Chairman of Indian Water Workers Association and Head of Public Sanitation and Engineering Dept(AIIH&PH),Dr.Arunava Mazumdar and Bhaskar Banerjee demonstrate how to remove arsenic from arsenic contaminated water by simple technique .Many eminent personalities like Aparna Mondal – President Karimpur _I Panchyat Samity ,Nirnmal Bhattchariya -CI of Police Karimpur and Mr Santanu Palodhi – News Director Akaasbani , Kolkata had appreciated the effort of the society and assured to extend their helping hands in all respect in future .
On 10.6.2002 in Sikarpur block office and Sikarpur Girls’ High School, two awareness programs were organized . In Block office the program was presided by BDO and all the members of panchayet were present . In the Sikarpur Girl’s School the program had a huge response from the students and the teachers .There were 300 -400 peoples gathering in that campaign .
On 09.9.2002 there was a discussion cum awareness camp organized at Pannadevi College at Karimpur .Local Member Legislative Assembly Mr . Praffulla Bhaumick was present and on behalf of Public Health Engineering ,West Bengal Mr Bhairab Ganguly informed about the extent of arsenicosis in different parts of West Bengal. Principal of Pannadevi College Prof.Prabhat Kumar Biswas also discussed about the necessity of working hand in hand with the NGOs and Govt. Dev Dutta Mazumdar , medical officer (Arsenic Unit )–SSKM hospital had shown a slide show about arsenicosis .
In month of Dec 2003 , two camps were organized , one was in Narayanpur Club .Local Gram Panchayet members and members of the club were present . Another program was organized at Maishbathan Monoj Mohon VidyaMandir .The program was presided by the Head Master , Mr Dilip Kr.Mondal . He said that these type of program would definitely enhance the awareness on arsenic and water amongst the students .
On 30th March 2003 with the help of Indian Water Works Association a program was organized on “Water Elixir of Life” at Sister Nivedita School .Prof. Arunabha Mazumdar discussed different water borne diseases and explained the importance of portable water.
In the month April 2003 an awareness program at Gandharajpur was organized among the villagers .
On 16.7.2003 awareness program was program organized at Shikarpur High School .
On 30th May 2004 we, in association with Belle Vue Clinic through M.P. Birla Medical Research Centre made a camp for ‘Screening of heart disease in chronic arsenicosis patients’ at KarimpurHere in this camp necessary treatment was offered for the arsenic affected patients who all were suffering also from heart disease. Many eminent doctors from various streams of medicine were present in this camp. We arranged physical check up along with blood test, ECG, ECHO and eye examination including Fundoscopy ( done by the Eye specialist of Priyamboda Birla Eye Research Center) etc. for all the arsenic affected patients of this area. Medicine also was given to the patients who all had been affected with heart disease and necessary treatment was also provided. .. Along with Dr.Saurabh Kole many other eminent doctors like Dr.Rajat Dutta , Dr.Buddhiswar saha , Dr.Bani Mondal ,Dr.Amitabha Kundu , Dr.Salil Gupta were present . Patients from Nadia , Malda and Murshidabad came here . This program continued for after every 3 weeks for one and half year.
On 13.3.2005 a large medical camp was organized at Karimpur Shanti smriti Lodge . We also arranged for physical check up along with blood test,ECG and ECHO. In this program eminent doctors like Dr.Bani Mondal, Dr Ranendra Biswas , Dr.Partha saha , Dr.Saurabh Kole , Dr.Ashis Joardar , Dr Samir Roy ,Dr Rajat Dutta etc participated .
Apart from these , awareness program was conducted in every month in the villages like Goa Bari , Khanpur , Tai pur , Niranjan colony , Arab pur , Haripur , DhonerPara, Ramkrishna Pally etc throughout the year 2005 -06.
On 14 th Nov 2006 , in DighalKanti Panchayet in the presence of Panchayet Pradhan Kartik Mondal about 150 filters were distributed amongst the villagers . Recently , in the month of March 2007 , 3 people died due to chronic arsenicosis . A program was conducted there with the help of Karimpur II Block President .
On 4th April 2007 , at Shantipur Smriti Lodge , an arsenic awareness program was organized for the local doctors .Dr.Subroto Saha –Supdt of Karimpur Hospital &Dr.Bagchi –MO of the same hospital ,Dr.Saurav Sarkar and Dr.Saurabh Kole were the faculty members . All present in the program had expressed their deep concern about the severity of arsenicosis in the surrounding districts of Malda , Nadia and Murshidabad .
At present we are dealing with the arsenic affected people of Karimpur I & II Blocks in district Nadia and Some parts of Domkol block in Mushidabad district. We are now eager to enlarge our span of activities in the neighboring districts like Malda and Murshidabad throughout . As per our current integrated strategy we want to facilitate those areas by implementing testing and detection , conducting awareness camps and mitigation program and medical camps .
Finally, it is our expectation that in near future we could build an infrastructure, at karimpur, that can initially detect the early stages of cancer due to arsenicosis and later on establish a full fledged hospital and research centre for arsenicosis .
We take this opportunity to express our wish to open an Arsenic Research Centre at this place which should be having investigation and early diagnosis facilities of skin malignancies of Arsenicosis patients and to operate them if necessary and with the scope of plastic surgery. In this centre we would like to provide treatment for the Arsenicosis patient if any, as well as giving education to the village people about the danger of arsenic toxicity. We have realized with the experience of more than six years that many people could be saved from arsenicosis by simple awareness. We hope that our efforts to help the arsenic affected people will be appreciated by you and your kind cooperation will be extended to us.If every thing goes hand in hand according to plan , it is our belief that we can see a better , arsenic free West Bengal in the new forthcoming era .
Introduction Arsenic Awareness in West Bengal
We have been organizing arsenic awareness program in different villages of West Bengal for last Six years. Probably you are aware that Arsenicosis is a slow killing disaster of West Bengal. A patient of chronic arsenicosis was first detected in West Bengal in the year 1982 at the School of Tropical Medicine of Calcutta. At this moment all over West Bengal about 9 millions of people are the victims of this dreadful disease. About 6 years back we realized to fight against this disaster.
Our Team Effort
Coordinated efforts from the Health dept., Public Sanitation, Engineering Dept. and Education Dept. along with different NGO’s and Medical organizations are of immense importance to minimize the sufferings of arsenic effected victims. In our State such efforts should also be taken to curb this arsenic toxicity. As a part of this program, we have organized several programs with team comprising representatives from our society and Prof. Arunava Mazumdar, Mr. Bhaskar Banerjee and many others from All India Institute of Hygiene and Public Health, Dr.Debdutta Chatterjee of SSKM Hospital, Arsenic Clinic and Engineer, Mr. Bhairabh Chaterjee from public health engineering Dept. of West Bengal – in different parts of Nadia district. To give an example we had organized awareness programs (in the months of April, May and June 2002) at Karimpur and Nazipur where Block Development officer, IC of Karimpur P.S, representatives from local panchayats (Panchayat Pradhan Ms.Mukti Das and Upapradhan Ms. Archana Mandal ) and other NGOs Nazimpur Durjoy Sanghha and from the Arsenic Awareness Society -Mr.Anup Biswas , Mr. Debaprasad Sanyal , Mr.Partha Sarkar ,Mr.Piyush Kanti Saha, Mr.Asit Mondal , Mr.Gajen Mondal, Mr.Boloram Biswas ,Mr.Tarak De ,Mr Bivas Pal,Mr.Sujit Mondal and others, teachers and students from schools and colleges, Medical professionals and people from nearby villages participated.
How it is affected to human
More than 37% of our population in nine districts are using arsenic contaminated water. As a result, millions of people have already been affected. Arsenic toxicity which initially affects skin also damages lungs, kidney, liver, bladder and many other important organs of human body. Many people of West Bengal died from cancer liver, cancer bladder, cancer lung due to chronic arsenicosis.
Importance of toxicity of Arsenic as well as AIDS
Considering the seriousness of this situation, we realized that we must take appropriate steps and sustained awareness programs to educate the people on this issue. Although people of our state are cautious about the danger of AIDS but they are attaching less importance to arsenic toxicity, and we forget that the magnitude of Arsenic toxicity is much more than AIDS in our state. Other countries like Argentina, Mexico, Taiwan, China, Thailand, Chile, Bangladesh which are facing this problem have been able to control this menace because of continuous efforts by their Governments, along with other NGOs, Print media, Electronic media and common people.
Awareness regarding the de-contamination Methods and other preventive measures in arsenic stricken Areas
It has been observed that these awareness programs have been able to motivate the local people of the affected villages to face the challenge. They have been shown how to use arsenic contaminated water after filtering along with other necessary steps as given below.
a) To store the arsenic contaminated water for 24 hours because oxygen is much less in underground water. After storing the water for 12-24 hours, arsenic gets oxidized and settles at the bottom part. If the supernatant is filtered, approximately 50% to 60% of the arsenic can be removed from the water. b) to mix 2mg. Of bleaching powder and 40 mg. Of alum with 1 liter arsenic contaminated water. To stir it with a stick for one minute and to store it for 2 hours. The supernatant may be filtered further. This will give us 90-95% arsenic free water. In all cases, however, in the arsenic affected areas, tube well water must be tested with the help of arsenic detecting kits ( as per the guideline the water which
is found with arsenic level of .05 mg/litre, is not useable as potable water). We realized that approximately 60 to 70% tube wells are made by private owners and in most of these tube wells the depth is within 80 to 120 feet and it is also found that arsenic is more prevalent at the depth of 80 to 100 feet. It may so happen that if in a village 20 tube wells are existing out of them 10 may have arsenic contaminated water (which can be detected by simple arsenic detecting kits-costing only INR.20). People may be educated to avoid those tube wells and drink water from other tube wells. If it so happens in a village all the tube wells are having arsenic contaminated water by the simple techniques of purification (mentioned above) we can get almost arsenic free water. This simple education should be included at the Panchayats level. Arsenic detecting technique, the process of minimizing arsenic in arsenic contaminated water, how to make low cost filters etc. should be included in the school curriculum of arsenic affected areas. If possible through government and NGOs – deep tube wells, bigger plants for arsenic removal can also be planned. If possible, river water utilization can also be helpful. Education on rain water harvesting may be also helpful in the long run.
Principle of Method for Arsenic Detection through Arsenic Field Test kit
Mercuric Bromide Stain Method as adopted for detection ofArsenic ,as per Standard Literaturem can detect presence of Arsenic upto a minimum limit of 0.05 mg per litre . The principle adpoted for detection of the presence of arsenic in water in mercuric bromide stain method , is to first reduce the penta valent arsenic to trivalent arsenic by potassium iodide and Stannous Chloride , then this trivalent arsenic is allowed to react with Hydrogen ion (which would be generated by the reaction of Hydrocholoric acid and Zinc granules) to form arsine (AsH3).The arsine is passed through a Column containing a roll of cotton moistened with Lead Acetate solution.This generated arsine produces a yellow brown stain on test paper strips impregnated with mercuric bromide .
SURVEY REPORT
On 16th June 2019, myself along with other members of Arsenic Awareness Society and Sri Manas Ranjan Maity, Advisor of the said Project visited Muktadaha water treatment plant of Public Health engineering. Arsenic free water is supplied to Majlispur, Manikpur and Kalaberia villages in Karimpur from here.
There we met the villagers and discussed about the existing water supply system and enquired whether there was any prevalence of Arsenicosis in their area. On the same day we decided to organise a medical camp in a primary school in Manikpur on 18th August 2019 and informed the villagers to meet.
Our coordinators took all the initiative to arrange the camp in Manikpur by reaching almost all the villagers and ask them to attend the camp for health check up on the scheduled date 18th August 2019. We successfully arranged the medical camp in the primary school where almost 70 villagers attended and got examined from early morning till afternoon.
Representatives of Arsenic Awareness Society also surveyed the Kalaberia village and came to know many habitants are suffering from Arsenicosis.
Dr. P. K Das, renowned dermatologist with his team was requested to take part in the next medical camp held on 29th December 2019 at Kalaberia Prathamik Vidalaya, Karimpur.
Next we visited some villages of Debogram, Nadia and also came to know from the villagers that many of them are suffering from Arsenocosis still.
We arranged a camp on 15th March 2019 at the health centre in a village and after examining villagers who came to attend the medical camp, Arsenocosis patients were found in large numbers.
18th August 2019
Medical Camp at KALABERIA
On
29.12.2019
Project beneficiaries:
Target groups represent the population which is already affected or at risk of arsenic contamination, with a focus on the basic needs of the people in arsenic affected villages under the district of Nadia of West Bengal State. 2 arsenic affected villages of Nadia district named Kalaberia, Majlishpur, and 2 Chitmahals named as Jamalpore and Charmegha under the Block of Karimpur-I of Tehatta Sub Division, have already been covered, the details are mentioned in the tabular form.
NAME OF DISTRICT- NADIA NAME OF BLOCK- Karimpur-1
Table-I Tabular picture of Arsenic affected villages
Name of villages
No. of Patients examined
Male Members
Female members
Child members
No. of Arsenic patient
Kalaberia, Majlishpur, Jamalpur, Charmegha
40
20
16
04
01
Table I shows that on the Health check up camp total 40 patients came for their health check up from the above mentioned vilages mainly came from Kalaberia village out of which 20 persons were male and 16 persons were female and 4 were children. Out of 40 patients attended the camp, 39 patients were suffering from skin diseases other than Arsenicosis. One female patiet attended the came for her skin complaints and she was diagnosed as Arsenicosis Grade-II came with the complaints of Melanosis in the Forehead, Raindrop Pigmentation in the back, hands and legs and Black pigmentation inside the gums and tongue but no keratosis, hyperkeratosis or ulceration was found. She has been suffering for the last 5-6 years but with the availability of Arsenic Free water arranged PHE of Govt. of West Bengal , her complaints remarkably improved.
Mentioned vilages mainly came from Kalaberia village out of which 20 persons were male and 16 persons were female and 4 were children. Out of 40 patients attended the camp, 39 patients were suffering from skin diseases other than Arsenicosis. One female patiet attended the came for her skin complaints and she was diagnosed as Arsenicosis Grade-II came with the complaints of Melanosis in the Forehead, Raindrop Pigmentation in the back, hands and legs and Black pigmentation inside the gums and tongue but no keratosis, hyperkeratosis or ulceration was found. She has been suffering for the last 5-6 years but with the availability of Arsenic Free water arranged PHE of Govt. of West Bengal , her complaints remarkably improved.
Table-II Tabular picture of Arsenicosis patients
Total No. of Arsenicosis patients
No. of skin infections other than Arsenic/ Non Arsenic patients
01
39
Table-II shows that out of 40 patients attended the Health Check up camp, 39 patients suffered from skin diseases like Allergy, Eczema, Impetigo, Onicomycosis, Teniasis etc.but 1 patient was suffering from Grade-II Arsenicosis.
Table-III Profile picture of Arsenicosis Patients
Sl.No
Sex
Age
In years
Wt.
In Kg.
Ht. in Cm
Hb in gm/100ml.
PEFR
in ml.
Gradation
Of Arsenicosis
Atypical clinical presentation
1
F
53
52
135
9.6
200
II
Pigmentation inside mouth and gums
Table-III shows that one arsenicosis female patient, aged about 53 years was suffering from moderate anaemia,
normotensive, having low peek flow rate and atypical presentation of pigmentation inside the mouth and gums.
Summary of Activities and Project Outcome:-
· Established self sustaining ‘community group’ in the project village. These community groups become actively involved in preventing and reducing arsenicosis.
· Reliable and scientifically accepted database on arsenic levels in groundwater for the project village becomes available.
· Manpower trained to carry out water quality analysis.
· Capacity building of local NGO, Voluntary Organisations and Panchayats to tackle similar problem in the locality in the future.
· A better inter agency co ordinated working atmosphere established for undertaking similar projects in the future.
· Better health status assured for the arsenic affected villagers.
· Villagers were informed about importance of Rainwater harvesting.
· Development of effective and qualitative IEC materials for creating mass awareness (such as posters, hand bills, booklets, visual display) were prepared and circulated.
· Awareness camps organized and awareness generated in project villages.
· Medical treatment camps organized and medicines were given to the affected patients free of cost.
· Overall sustained environmental development and better quality of life assured in the arsenic affected areas by socio-economic upliftment of the people (health expense savings diverted to productive activities) .
ARSENIC AWARENESS AND MEDICAL CAMP
VILLAGE JAMPUKUR PURBAPARA, DEBOGRAM BLOCK OF NADIA DISTRICT
15TH MARCH 2020
Target groups represent the population which is already affected or at risk of arsenic contamination, with a focus on the basic needs of the people in arsenic affected villages under the district of Nadia of West Bengal State. 2 arsenic affected villages of Nadia district named Kalaberia, Majlishpur, and 2 Chitmahals named as Jamalpore and Charmegha under the Block of Karimpur-I of Tehatta Sub Division, have already been covered, the details are mentioned in the tabular form.
NAME OF DISTRICT- NADIA NAME OF BLOCK- Karimpur-1
Table-I Tabular picture of Arsenic affected villages
Name of villages | No. of Patients examined | Male Members | Female members | Child members | No. of Arsenic patient |
Kalaberia, Majlishpur, Jamalpur, Charmegha | 40 | 20 | 16 | 04 | 01 |
Table I shows that on the Health check up camp total 40 patients came for their health check up from the above mentioned vilages mainly came from Kalaberia village out of which 20 persons were male and 16 persons were female and 4 were children. Out of 40 patients attended the camp, 39 patients were suffering from skin diseases other than Arsenicosis. One female patiet attended the came for her skin complaints and she was diagnosed as Arsenicosis Grade-II came with the complaints of Melanosis in the Forehead, Raindrop Pigmentation in the back, hands and legs and Black pigmentation inside the gums and tongue but no keratosis, hyperkeratosis or ulceration was found. She has been suffering for the last 5-6 years but with the availability of Arsenic Free water arranged PHE of Govt. of West Bengal , her complaints remarkably improved.
Mentioned vilages mainly came from Kalaberia village out of which 20 persons were male and 16 persons were female and 4 were children. Out of 40 patients attended the camp, 39 patients were suffering from skin diseases other than Arsenicosis. One female patiet attended the came for her skin complaints and she was diagnosed as Arsenicosis Grade-II came with the complaints of Melanosis in the Forehead, Raindrop Pigmentation in the back, hands and legs and Black pigmentation inside the gums and tongue but no keratosis, hyperkeratosis or ulceration was found. She has been suffering for the last 5-6 years but with the availability of Arsenic Free water arranged PHE of Govt. of West Bengal , her complaints remarkably improved.
Table-II Tabular picture of Arsenicosis patients
Total No. of Arsenicosis patients | No. of skin infections other than Arsenic/ Non Arsenic patients |
01 | 39 |
Table-II shows that out of 40 patients attended the Health Check up camp, 39 patients suffered from skin diseases like Allergy, Eczema, Impetigo, Onicomycosis, Teniasis etc.but 1 patient was suffering from Grade-II Arsenicosis.
Table-III Profile picture of Arsenicosis Patients
Sl.No | Sex | Age In years | Wt. In Kg. | Ht. in Cm | Hb in gm/100ml. | PEFR in ml. | Gradation Of Arsenicosis | Atypical clinical presentation |
1 | F | 53 | 52 | 135 | 9.6 | 200 | II | Pigmentation inside mouth and gums |
Table-III shows that one arsenicosis female patient, aged about 53 years was suffering from moderate anaemia,
normotensive, having low peek flow rate and atypical presentation of pigmentation inside the mouth and gums.
Summary of Activities and Project Outcome:-
· Established self sustaining ‘community group’ in the project village. These community groups become actively involved in preventing and reducing arsenicosis.
· Reliable and scientifically accepted database on arsenic levels in groundwater for the project village becomes available.
· Manpower trained to carry out water quality analysis.
· Capacity building of local NGO, Voluntary Organisations and Panchayats to tackle similar problem in the locality in the future.
· A better inter agency co ordinated working atmosphere established for undertaking similar projects in the future.
· Better health status assured for the arsenic affected villagers.
· Villagers were informed about importance of Rainwater harvesting.
· Development of effective and qualitative IEC materials for creating mass awareness (such as posters, hand bills, booklets, visual display) were prepared and circulated.
· Awareness camps organized and awareness generated in project villages.
· Medical treatment camps organized and medicines were given to the affected patients free of cost.
· Overall sustained environmental development and better quality of life assured in the arsenic affected areas by socio-economic upliftment of the people (health expense savings diverted to productive activities) .
ARSENIC AWARENESS AND MEDICAL CAMP
VILLAGE JAMPUKUR PURBAPARA, DEBOGRAM BLOCK OF NADIA DISTRICT
15TH MARCH 2020
Project beneficiaries:
Target groups represent the population which is already affected or at risk of arsenic contamination, with a focus on the basic needs of the people in arsenic affected village under the district of Nadia of West Bengal State. 1 arsenic affected village of Nadia district named Jampukur Purbapara under the Block of Debogram, have already been covered, the details are mentioned in the tabular form.
NAME OF DISTRICT- NADIA NAME OF BLOCK- Debogram
Table-I Tabular picture of Arsenic affected village
Name of villages
No. of Patients examined
Male Members
Female members
Child members
No. of Arsenic patient
Jampukur Purbapara
66
40
20
06
17
Table I shows that on the Health check up camp total 66patients came for their health check up from the above mentioned vilage out of which 40 persons were male and 20 persons were female and 6 were children. Out of 66 patients attended the camp, 49 patients were suffering from skin diseases other than Arsenicosis. Twenty female patiet attended the came for her skin complaints and five was diagnosed as Arsenicosis Grade-II came with the complaints of Melanosis in the Forehead, Raindrop Pigmentation in the back, hands and legs and Black pigmentation inside the gums and tongue but no keratosis, hyperkeratosis or ulceration was found. They have been suffering for the last 5-6 years but with the availability of Arsenic Free water arranged by Arsenic Awareness Society and PHE of Govt. of West Bengal , her complaints remarkably improved.
Table-II Tabular picture of Arsenicosis patients
Total No. of Arsenicosis patients
No. of skin infections other than Arsenic/ Non Arsenic patients
17
49
Table-II shows that out of 66 patients attended the Health Check up camp, 49 patients suffered from skin diseases like Allergy, Eczema, Impetigo, Onicomycosis, Teniasis etc.but 17 patients were suffering from Grade-I to Grade-III Arsenicosis.
Sl.No
Sex
Age
Wt.in Kg
Ht. in cm
Hb. In gm/100ml
B.P n mm ofHg
PEEFR in ml.
Grade of Arsenicosis
Atypical presentation
1
M
60
50
132
10.7
160/90
170
II
Pigmentation inside mouth
2
M
56
57
134
11.5
150/90
200
I
3
M
57
60
142
13.8
140/80
275
I
4
F
55
54
130
11.7
120/80
250
I
5
M
60
58
132
12.2
140/90
200
II
6
M
40
59
136
11.9
150/90
210
II
Conjuctival congestion
7
M
60
52
132
11.4
120/70
180
II
8
M
52
56
134
12.4
150/70
200
I
9
F
70
47
128
9.6
110/60
160
II
10
M
55
57
132
11.7
160/80
156
III
Conj.congestion 7 pigmentation inside mouth
11
F
50
47
126
10.7
150/80
160
III
Gangrene
12
M
56
52
128
11.6
120/60
170
III
13
F
38
47
125
11.9
150/100
176
II
Non pitting edema
14
F
55
49
127
11.6
150/80
200
I
15
M
48
54
132
11.8
130/80
200
II
16
M
57
59
134
12.2
160/110
180
I
Inside mouth pigmentation
17
M
60
52
130
11.7
160/80
175
II
Table-III Profile picture of Arsenicosis Patients
It reveals that most of the patients suffered from moderate to severe Anaemia with restricted lung functions and most of them have mild to moderate hypertension. Out of 17 patients 6 of them are female and 12 are male and their average age is 54.4 yrs. The grade of arsenicosis is from Grade I to III. Moreover 6 patients have atypical presentations like Pigmentation inside the mouth, conjuctival congestion, Non pitting edema, gangrene of the fingers of Rt foot apart from melanosis, keratosis and others.
Summary of Activities and Project Outcome:-
· Established self sustaining ‘community group’ in the project village. These community groups become actively involved in preventing and reducing arsenicosis.
· Reliable and scientifically accepted database on arsenic levels in groundwater for the project village becomes available.
· Manpower trained to carry out water quality analysis.
· Capacity building of local NGO, Voluntary Organisations and Panchayats to tackle similar problem in the locality in the future.
· A better inter agency co ordinated working atmosphere established for undertaking similar projects in the future.
· Better health status assured for the arsenic affected villagers.
· Villagers were informed about Rainwater harvesting.
· .Development of effective and qualitative IEC materials for creating mass awareness (such as posters, hand bills, booklets, visual display) were prepared and circulated.
· Awareness camps organized and awareness generated in project villages.
· Medical treatment camps organized and medicines were given to the affected patients free of cost.
Overall sustained environmental development and better quality of life assured in the arsenic affected areas by socio economic upliftment of the people (health expense savings diverted to productive activities.
Target groups represent the population which is already affected or at risk of arsenic contamination, with a focus on the basic needs of the people in arsenic affected village under the district of Nadia of West Bengal State. 1 arsenic affected village of Nadia district named Jampukur Purbapara under the Block of Debogram, have already been covered, the details are mentioned in the tabular form.
NAME OF DISTRICT- NADIA NAME OF BLOCK- Debogram
Table-I Tabular picture of Arsenic affected village
Name of villages | No. of Patients examined | Male Members | Female members | Child members | No. of Arsenic patient |
Jampukur Purbapara | 66 | 40 | 20 | 06 | 17 |
Table I shows that on the Health check up camp total 66patients came for their health check up from the above mentioned vilage out of which 40 persons were male and 20 persons were female and 6 were children. Out of 66 patients attended the camp, 49 patients were suffering from skin diseases other than Arsenicosis. Twenty female patiet attended the came for her skin complaints and five was diagnosed as Arsenicosis Grade-II came with the complaints of Melanosis in the Forehead, Raindrop Pigmentation in the back, hands and legs and Black pigmentation inside the gums and tongue but no keratosis, hyperkeratosis or ulceration was found. They have been suffering for the last 5-6 years but with the availability of Arsenic Free water arranged by Arsenic Awareness Society and PHE of Govt. of West Bengal , her complaints remarkably improved.
Table-II Tabular picture of Arsenicosis patients
Total No. of Arsenicosis patients | No. of skin infections other than Arsenic/ Non Arsenic patients |
17 | 49 |
Table-II shows that out of 66 patients attended the Health Check up camp, 49 patients suffered from skin diseases like Allergy, Eczema, Impetigo, Onicomycosis, Teniasis etc.but 17 patients were suffering from Grade-I to Grade-III Arsenicosis.
Sl.No | Sex | Age | Wt.in Kg | Ht. in cm | Hb. In gm/100ml | B.P n mm ofHg | PEEFR in ml. | Grade of Arsenicosis | Atypical presentation |
1 | M | 60 | 50 | 132 | 10.7 | 160/90 | 170 | II | Pigmentation inside mouth |
2 | M | 56 | 57 | 134 | 11.5 | 150/90 | 200 | I |
|
3 | M | 57 | 60 | 142 | 13.8 | 140/80 | 275 | I |
|
4 | F | 55 | 54 | 130 | 11.7 | 120/80 | 250 | I |
|
5 | M | 60 | 58 | 132 | 12.2 | 140/90 | 200 | II |
|
6 | M | 40 | 59 | 136 | 11.9 | 150/90 | 210 | II | Conjuctival congestion |
7 | M | 60 | 52 | 132 | 11.4 | 120/70 | 180 | II |
|
8 | M | 52 | 56 | 134 | 12.4 | 150/70 | 200 | I |
|
9 | F | 70 | 47 | 128 | 9.6 | 110/60 | 160 | II |
|
10 | M | 55 | 57 | 132 | 11.7 | 160/80 | 156 | III | Conj.congestion 7 pigmentation inside mouth |
11 | F | 50 | 47 | 126 | 10.7 | 150/80 | 160 | III | Gangrene |
12 | M | 56 | 52 | 128 | 11.6 | 120/60 | 170 | III |
|
13 | F | 38 | 47 | 125 | 11.9 | 150/100 | 176 | II | Non pitting edema |
14 | F | 55 | 49 | 127 | 11.6 | 150/80 | 200 | I |
|
15 | M | 48 | 54 | 132 | 11.8 | 130/80 | 200 | II |
|
16 | M | 57 | 59 | 134 | 12.2 | 160/110 | 180 | I | Inside mouth pigmentation |
17 | M | 60 | 52 | 130 | 11.7 | 160/80 | 175 | II |
|
Table-III Profile picture of Arsenicosis Patients
It reveals that most of the patients suffered from moderate to severe Anaemia with restricted lung functions and most of them have mild to moderate hypertension. Out of 17 patients 6 of them are female and 12 are male and their average age is 54.4 yrs. The grade of arsenicosis is from Grade I to III. Moreover 6 patients have atypical presentations like Pigmentation inside the mouth, conjuctival congestion, Non pitting edema, gangrene of the fingers of Rt foot apart from melanosis, keratosis and others.
Summary of Activities and Project Outcome:-
· Established self sustaining ‘community group’ in the project village. These community groups become actively involved in preventing and reducing arsenicosis.
· Reliable and scientifically accepted database on arsenic levels in groundwater for the project village becomes available.
· Manpower trained to carry out water quality analysis.
· Capacity building of local NGO, Voluntary Organisations and Panchayats to tackle similar problem in the locality in the future.
· A better inter agency co ordinated working atmosphere established for undertaking similar projects in the future.
· Better health status assured for the arsenic affected villagers.
· Villagers were informed about Rainwater harvesting.
· .Development of effective and qualitative IEC materials for creating mass awareness (such as posters, hand bills, booklets, visual display) were prepared and circulated.
· Awareness camps organized and awareness generated in project villages.
· Medical treatment camps organized and medicines were given to the affected patients free of cost.
Overall sustained environmental development and better quality of life assured in the arsenic affected areas by socio economic upliftment of the people (health expense savings diverted to productive activities.
