Birla Institute of Technology Science
A device that detects
arsenic content in drinking water
Scientists at the Birla Institute of Technology &
Science (BITS) in Pilani have developed a new bio-sensor device to detect
arsenic content in drinking water. The device can be operated by a layman and
is based on a rare combination of bio-engineering and electronics.
The hand-held device, the size of a mobile phone and presently undergoing field testing, promises to be immensely useful for millions of people inhabiting the river basins of the Ganga, Brahmaputra and Meghna in India and Bangladesh reported to be affected by arsenic contamination. Nearly 50 crore people are estimated to be at risk across Utttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Bangladesh due to high arsenic content in drinking water.
High intake of arsenic along with malnourishment and lack of medical care worsens the life of people, especially children, in the arsenic-affected regions. According to the established guidelines, drinking water having more than 10 parts per billion (ppb) arsenic content increases mortality rates since arsenic is a bio-accumulative toxin. Once the device is validated by the experts concerned, it will be released for commercial applications, which will significantly reduce its production costs. The Union Government’s Science & Technology Department had funded the two-year research project.
The hand-held device, the size of a mobile phone and presently undergoing field testing, promises to be immensely useful for millions of people inhabiting the river basins of the Ganga, Brahmaputra and Meghna in India and Bangladesh reported to be affected by arsenic contamination. Nearly 50 crore people are estimated to be at risk across Utttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Bangladesh due to high arsenic content in drinking water.
High intake of arsenic along with malnourishment and lack of medical care worsens the life of people, especially children, in the arsenic-affected regions. According to the established guidelines, drinking water having more than 10 parts per billion (ppb) arsenic content increases mortality rates since arsenic is a bio-accumulative toxin. Once the device is validated by the experts concerned, it will be released for commercial applications, which will significantly reduce its production costs. The Union Government’s Science & Technology Department had funded the two-year research project.
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