Water-borne diseases in india are a major focal point in our nation’s march towards Swacch Bharat Anhiyan. These commonly account for thee widespread diarrhoea diseases especially among children, cholera, hepatitis, and many other face-orally transmitted infections. Most of them are preventable. In addition, the water esp. the stagnant or the ‘bad water’ can become a source of mosquitos spreading many other microbial diseases like malaria, dengue, chikunguniya etc. Then there are issues of chemical contamination of underground or river water with inorganic elements like arsenic, fluoride, lead, cadmium, mercury as also many a organic harmful solvents discharged into water bodies. A new concern arises from the escape of pharmaceutical drugs into the water bodies, with deleterious effects on human health and the biodiversity.
During the summer- rainy months, the human-animal face-oral contamination of water increases the incidence on many common transmissible infections, prompting awareness health programmes. One such was broadcasted on the morning of 10 August 2016 on AIR’s immensely popular Indradhanush channel titled Swasthya Sanjivini. There is a dedicated and aware audience for this live phone-in health programme.
What emerged this time was the fact that the changing spectrum of comments, queries and issues. Most of which related to contamination of surface or ground water, especially the salinity and contamination with the heavy metals, and the scenarios of difficulties in their management and implementation. The microbiological diseases took a backseat.
The quality of ground water has undergone changes, making much it less usable- some even hazardous. Inland salinity is a problem in arid/ semi-arid regions of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, and a smaller extent in Delhi NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka. Coastal Salinity is encountered in many areas along the 7,500 Km Indian subcontinent coastline, in Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Porbander, Pondicherry and Orissa. Salinity can be reduced with reverse osmosis (RO Systems), ion exchange and electrodialysis.
Fluoride in high concentrations (beyond 1.5 mg/L) is a major health problem in India, and encountered in the districts of Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh/ Telangana, Orissa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, and lesser extent in another half a dozen States including Delhi. The techniques to remove salinity are effective against fluoride contamination too. Activated alumina adsorption is also effective.
Detection of the presence of another element Arsenic in ground water is more recent. Its commands have been used in several small and large-scale manufacturing. Contamination of ground water from arsenic has serious health impacts on human beings. It is found in several States in india, mainly West Bengal, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, andAssam. Removal of arsenic from ground water is limited to activated alumina adsorption, and one has to rely on arsenic-free aquifers or alternative sources.
Such awareness and concern for environmental health issues from water- borne health problems was a visible trend as seen through this All India Radio interactive health programme.
