In recent years, the issue of arsenic contamination in India has escalated dramatically. According to data shared in the Parliament, there has been an alarming 145% increase in the number of arsenic-affected habitations in the country over the last five years (2015-2020).
In 2015, India had 1,800 arsenic-affected habitations. This figure steadily rose over the ensuing years, reaching a staggering 4,421 habitations as of September 2020. These habitations, defined as groups of households at a community level in a village, can consist of anywhere between 10 to 100 households. They represent the smallest level of settlements within the country.
Regions Most Affected by Arsenic Contamination
The majority of these arsenic-affected habitations are located in the Ganga and Brahmaputra alluvial plains, encompassing areas such as Assam, Bihar, West Bengal, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh. Among these locations, Assam featured the highest number of affected habitations with 1,853, closely followed by West Bengal with 1,383.
Jharkhand, in contrast, did not have any arsenic-affected habitations in 2015, but by 2020, it had two. Interestingly, Karnataka, which had nine such habitations in 2015, had none by 2020.
Decrease in Fluoride-Affected Habitations
While the issue of arsenic contamination continues to grow, there has been a significant decrease in fluoride-affected habitations over the same period. The number has dropped from 12,727 in 2015 to 5,485 as of September 2020. Rajasthan had the highest number of such habitations (2,956), followed by Bihar (861).
Efforts to Combat Water Contamination: The Jal Jeevan Mission
The Indian government has taken steps towards addressing these pressing water issues through initiatives such as the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM). Launched in 2019, JJM’s main objective is to ensure piped water supply to every household by 2024. Under JJM, up to 2% of the funds allocated to states/ UTs can be utilized for Water Quality Monitoring & Surveillance activities (WQM&S).
These initiatives include the establishment and fortification of water quality testing laboratories, community surveillance through field test kits, and educational programs on water quality awareness.
New Sub-programme: National Water Quality Sub-Mission
Another significant effort undertaken by the Government is the National Water Quality Sub-Mission (NWQSM), a sub-programme under the National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP). This mission was initiated in 2017 by the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation (now merged with Ministry of Jal Shakti) to address the urgent need for clean drinking water in arsenic and fluoride-affected areas, aiming to provide clean water to all rural populations by March 2021.
Dangers of Arsenic and Fluoride Poisoning
Arsenic and fluoride poisoning are serious public health issues in India. Arsenic is a naturally occurring element present at high levels in the earth’s crust and groundwater in several countries. In its inorganic form, it is highly toxic. Prolonged exposure to arsenic through contaminated water used for drinking and crop irrigation can lead to various health problems including cancer, cardiovascular disease, skin disease, diabetes, and cognitive development issues in children.
Similarly, excessive fluoride intake through consumption of groundwater rich in fluoride can result in dental and skeletal fluorosis, leading to tooth decay and bone deformities. The WHO guidelines for drinking water quality (2011) state that the permissible limit of Arsenic in groundwater is 0.01 mg per liter. However, in India, the permissible limit in drinking water was recently lowered from 0.05 mg per litre to 0.01 mg per litre.
The most effective course of action in affected communities is the prevention of further exposure to arsenic by providing a safe water supply. The same applies to areas affected by fluoride toxicity.
