Effects
of Arsenic Mitigation Measures On Arsenicosis Patients in
Tarai Districts, Nepal
B.
Pradhan, R. R. Shrestha and M. P. Shrestha, A. Maskey, B.
Dahal, M. Gorkhali,B. Dangol, P. Tuladhar, L.Gorkhali
Abstract
Mitigation
measures to arsenic contaminated water provided to the patients
in four Tarai districts, viz. Nawalparasi, Parsa, Bara and
Rautahat of Nepal were (i) Household Level Arsenic Removal
Filter, (ii) innovated dug well (iii) arsenic iron removal
plant (AIRP), and (iv) tube well. Assessment of the effects
of arsenic mitigation measures on health of the arsenicosis
patients was made by using the pre-test and post-test designs.
Analyses have been concentrated on the information of the
patients obtained through questionnaire survey, clinical examination
and water and hair samples of the patients.
The findings of the study were: 173 out of 354 patients (48.9%)
have shown improving condition of arsenicosis. As the groundwater
is the main source of drinking water in the study districts,
it is potentially at risk of arsenic contamination. The problem
will further intensify in future if effective control measures
are not undertaken. Therefore, more effective methods need
to be adopted to provide opportunities to the patients to
use different options for mitigation of the arsenicosis problem.
For
more information, please contact ENPHO office
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Marga-1, Thapagaon, New Baneshwor
Email: enpho@mail.com.np