KALIABOR, March 23 - A workshop on arsenic, iron and fluoride-free drinking water was held recently at Kaliabor College in collaboration with the Department of Chemical Sciences of Tezpur University.
The workshop was organised jointly by �NEER� and National Service Scheme. �NEER� was constituted at Kaliabor College last year for extension activities in providing arsenic and fluoride-free drinking water in various localities. It will examine water quality of the region with the help of the Department of Chemical Sciences of Tezpur University and provide support for pure drinking water.
Ground water of 27 districts of Assam contain high level of arsenic. Most parts of Nagaon district are severely affected by arsenic and a few parts affected by fluoride in ground water. The affect of fluoride on human health is well-known and the affect of arsenic is much more dangerous, which may lead to cancer also.
Prof Robin Dutta of Tezpur University possesses patents on very low cost procedures for removal of arsenic plus iron and for fluoride separately. His team has been installing these systems in various parts of Assam. Kaliabor College has extended its helping hands for this noble social service through NEER and NSS.
In a survey conducted by NEER, three samples of water taken from Kulidonga area of Kaliabor contained high level of arsenic and a few people of the area already have health problems owing to this contamination. Two arsenic removal systems will be installed in the area by the college in the coming month.
The college has been collecting samples of water from different parts of the locality and has sent the same for analysis to Tezpur University. It will offer suggestions for solution too.
The workshop is a step towards awareness generation on the issue. School science teachers, NGO workers, social activists, NSS volunteers and students attended the workshop.
Teachers of Kaliabor College, Lakhimpur Girls� College, Rupahi College and Dr BKB College participated in the workshop along with two students from JB College. Head of the department of Chemical Sciences of Tezpur University Prof Ashim Jyoti Thakur, Prof Swapan K Doloi and research scholars of the department participated as resource persons along with Prof Robin Dutta.
