Geo-Analyst , ISSN 2249-2909 July, 2016

Spatial variation of fluoride contamination: A field study on the fluoride affected villages of (W.B, )

Priyabrata Mondal* Abstract

Fluoride compound (F ̄) is necessary for a certain content to eradicate the dental caries and to strengthen the bones. Fluoride remains in a certain amount in water. According to World Health Organization (WHO, 2002) the normal level of fluoride in underground water is 1.5 mg/L and according to Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS, 2009) the normal level of fluoride in underground water is 1 mg/L. Crossing this limit (1.5 mg/L) fluoride contaminates the water. If the same water is used mainly for drinking purpose then health hazard may occur. This health hazard is known as fluorosis. Person once attacked by this is never cured fully from this. Patients lost their ability to do work. Different districts of West are suffering from the fluorosis in one or different ways (dental, skeletal and non-skeletal). Birbhum district of is one of them. The western part of this district has been affected severely by fluoride contamination in ground water. Consequently, the health of people of study villages has been deteriorated due to fluorosis. Thus their working ability has decreased miserably. But they need to do work for income generation to feed their family members. At the same time people of this region are belonging to the poverty stricken society. In such condition depression in economy is increasing day by day which is again solidifying the base of poverty. If this condition continues then the eastern part of Birbhum District will grow economically with the passage of time and western part will be economically more backward. That’s why Birbhum District has been chosen for the purpose of study and in this paper an attempt has been made to elaborate the spatial pattern of fluoride contamination in this district.

Keywords:

Fluoride contamination, underground water, spatial pattern, geology

Introduction

There are seven blocks of Birbhum District (Map: 1) affected by the problem of fluoride. Those are -I, -I, -I, , Suri-II, Rajnagar and Khoyrasole. Nalhati-I, Rampurhat-I and Khoyrasole are three blocks where our study villages exist. “The Nasipur is the first place to report cases of fluorosis in West Bengal. The village is located in Nalhati Block-I of Birbhum district” (Chatterjee, 2004). According to B.M.O.H of Rampurhat-I block, problem of fluoride has come out in Rampurhat-I block during the first half of 1980’s (most probably 1984). However many villages of Birbhum district were found to have the same problem. Most of them belong to the western side of Birbhum district.

*Research Scholar, Department of Geography Visva-Bharati

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Map: 1

Location of the study area

Birbhum district is situated in between 23°32 ʹ30 ʺ and 24°35 ʹ00 ʺ north latitude and 88°01 ʹ40 ʺ and 87°05 ʹ25 ʺ east longitude. In shape it looks like a triangle. Birbhum is bounded by District on east and Burdwan District on south and Bihar (state) on the west.

Seven blocks of Birbhum District have been affected. Five villages have been selected as sample villages for the purpose of study. Those villages are Nasipur (Nalhati-I CD-Block), Bhabanandapur (Nalhati-I CD-Block), Nawapara-Junidpur (Rampurhat-I CD-Block), Fullachak (Khoyrasole CD-Block), Lauberia (Khoyrasole CD-Block) (Map: 2).

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Map: 2

Discussion

Pattern of fluoride contamination in Birbhum District

Though, only 0.93 % tube wells of Birbhum District are contaminated by fluoride but in West Bengal, spot with maximum fluoride content is found in Birbhum District. That is 20.40 mg/l (Diagram: 1 and 2).

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Diagram: 1

Diagram: 2

Nalhati-I, Rampurhat-I and Khoyrasole are found as top three blocks if we rank different blocks of Birbhum District according to the highest fluoride content. Sample villages have been chosen from these three blocks (Diagram: 3).

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Diagram: 3

Table-1: Maximum fluoride content (mg/l) in different GP of Nalhati-I Block

GP of Nalhati-I Block Maximum Fluoride content (mg/l) Banior 0.71 Barla 0.54 Bautia 0.82 Haridaspur 20.4 Kaitha-I 1.72 Kaitha-II 0.66

Kalitha 1.65 0.48

Nalhati - a 0.63 Nalhati - b 0.16 Paikpara 0.78

Source: PHED, West Bengal, 2006

There are five study villages. Those villages belong to Nalhati -I, Rampurhat-I, and Khoyrasole blocks. Nalhati-I block has 11 gram panchayat (GP). Fluoride level in underground water of each panchayat has been shown in the table where Haridaspur panchayat records with the highest level within the block (Table: 1). Nasipur and Bhabanandapur are two study villages lying in that GP.

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Beside this there are two other GP namely Kaitha-I and Kalitha where level of fluoride is above the permissible limit.

On the other hand Rampurhat-I block has 9 GP of which Narayanpur and Kharun panchayat are with first and second highest level of fluoride respectively (Table: 2). Nawapara-Junidpur study village belongs to the Kharun GP. Kusumba and Mashra are two other GP where fluoride level in underground water is above the permissible limit.Here this village has been selected for the purpose of study because this is the worst affected than any other villages of Narayanpur Panchayat.

Table-2:Maximum fluoride content (mg/l) in different GP of Rampurhat-I Block

GP of Rampurhat-I Block Maximum Fluoride content (mg/l) Ayas 0.65

Barshal 0.79

Bonhat 1.39 Dakhalbati 0.53

Kasthagora 0.67 Kharun 11.1 Kusumba 2.84

Mashra 3.77 Narayanpur 16.2

Source: PHED, West Bengal, 2006

Similarly, Khoyrasole block has 10 GP of which 4 GP namely Kendgore, Hazaratpur, Khoyrasole and Nokraconda are with fluoride level above the permissible limit. Kendgore GP has the highest level of fluoride (Table: 3). Fullachak village is belonging to this GP. Fifth study village Lauberia is located at Khoyrasole block.

Maximum fluoride content in different study villages have been shown in the map (Map: 3).

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Table-3: Maximum fluoride content (mg/l) in different GP of Khoyrasole-I Block

GP of Khoyrasole Block Maximum Fluoride content (mg/l)

Babuijore 0.78 Barra 1.3 Hazaratpur 3.12

Kendgore 14.1 Khoyrasole 2.81 Lokepur 0.66

Nakraconda 1.59 Panchra 0.67 Parsundi 1.14

Rupaspur 0.81 Source: PHED, West Bengal, 2006

Map: 3

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Pattern of fluoride contamination in different villages a) Pattern of fluoride contamination in Nasipur village

When the news of Nasipur regarding fluorosis spread all over the West Bengal then all the tube wells and wells were sealed and tap water as an alternative supply was started to be provided to the villagers of Nasipur. But already the entire village has been affected by fluorosis. However, the tap supply becomes discontinuous because of many reasons e.g. loadshedding of electricity or low voltage. At that time they drink the water of unfilled stone mine. Beside this, the villagers near the water of unfilled stone mine drink that water most of the time. Similarly the differentsorts of mine workers working at the mine usually drink the same water. Tap service is provided at particular time of each day. Many poor villagers miss to collect or store the tap water at the right time. Entire region is characterised by basalt rock at the surface. Basalt rock is one of the most efficient sources of fluoride. The wall of the unfilled stone mine is also basalt. That’s why the water of that unfilled stone mine is also contaminated by fluoride as stated by laboratory attendant of CMOH, Suri.

From the field study we have known that recently 90 % surveyed households of Nasipur are drinking water from tap, unfilled stone mine, tube wells and wells. Only 10 % are drinking water only from tap . b) Pattern of fluoride contamination inBhabanandapur village

This village is located at Haridaspur panchayat where Nasipur village lies. The scenario of this village is almost similar to Nasipur village. When fluoride was detected in underground water of Bhabanandapur, then all the government tube wells and wells were sealed. At the place of tube wells and wells, tap water was started to be supplied. But the villagers drink from alternative source when tap service is halted. Tap service is provided at particular time of each day. Many poor villagers miss to collect or store the tap water at the right time. Beside this if electric load shading occurs then water is not provided. Most of the households have the own tube well or well in their house for alternative use. None of them are tested in the laboratory for checking the level of fluoride. So, there is a large probability of having fluoride in that water because all the tube wells whether that is private or government have already been banned as they are from the same source.

From the field study we have known that recently 8 % surveyed households of Bhabanandapur are drinking water from tap, tube wells and wells. 92 % households are drinking water only from tap. c) Pattern of fluoride contamination in Nawapara-Junidpur village

The Nawapara-Junidpur village is located at the right bank of Dwarka River. Though, the villagers of this village are suffering also from the fluorosis but the story of this village is slightly different. Tap supply or no other alternative water supply has been provided to the villagers here. There are 10 tube wells totally within these two villages. Four of them are affected by fluoride (Table: 4).

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Table-4: Fluoride content (mg./l) in tube wells with different locations at Nawapara- Junidpur

Sl. No. Location of Tube well with in the village Fluoride level (mg./l) 1 South-western side 2.52 2 Northern side 1.56 3 South -eastern side 0.35 4 Central part 0.36 5 Central part 0.42 6 Northern side 2.81 7 Northern side 1.91 8 Southern side 0.73 9 Northern side 0.58 10 Community Filter (Southern side) 3.56 11 Central part 1.28

Source: PHED, West Bengal, 2006

A defluorided tank (called as ‘Community filter’) had been established at Nawapara-Junidpur village by UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund) taking technology of BESU (Bengal Engineering and Science University) during 2007. That’s why alumina needed to filter the water has not been replaced. Alumina inside it is needed to be replaced after every 3 to 4 months. As a result of this, the level of fluoride of water of that tank is 3.56 mg/l (Dec, 2013) which is recently highest of all drinking water sources (Table: 4). According to Rampurhat Paribesh Parisheba (under PHED) villagers violated the rules and regulation of using the tank. There were two rules- i) no one is permitted to abuse the filtered water by bathing and washing except for drinking and cooking. ii) villagers have to pay rupees five per family per month. Both of these rules were violated by villagers. Consequently, alumina is not replaced. ‘Community filter’ is under use with out new alumina.

Secondly, two filters per family have been given by the same organisation as stated aforesaid. Those are also running without new alumina. Most of them are well-known about the fact but very much reluctant about this, because villagers are unable to replace the old alumina. That’s why those filters are out of service. Among the sample households studied, recently a broad portion of villagers are drinking water from aforesaid four affected tube wells. Others have also drunk water of those sources, but recently they are collecting water from non affected sources. However, near their primary school a tube well was highly affected (11.1 mg/l) which has been sealed officially, but seal has again been opened by few villagers to use the water, because of absence of any tube well nearby.

From the field study we have known that recently 50 % of the surveyed households of Nawapara- Junidpur drink water from fluoride contaminated tube wells and filter without new alumina. Another 50 % drink water from tube wells not contaminated by fluoride.

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Geo-Analyst , ISSN 2249-2909 July, 2016 d) Pattern of fluoride contamination in Lauberia village

This village is also situated at Khoyrasole Block. There are 7 tube wells within and around the village. 4 of them are contaminated by fluoride (Table: 5). Their level of fluoride are 2.86 mg./l, 3.43 mg./l, 3.75 mg./l and 3.06 mg./l respectively.

From the field study we have known that recently there are two groups of villagers at Lauberia on the basis of choice of drinking water. There is a group of villagers who do not go outside the village to collect the water because that is far away. They drink water only form affected tube wells inside the village. 26 % of the surveyed households are of this group. Another group of villagers drink water mostly from non-affected tube wells. Sometimes they drink water from the affected tube wells. 74 % surveyed households are of this group.

Table-5: Fluoride content (mg./l) in tube wells with different locations at Lauberia

Sl. No. Location of Tube well with in the village Fluoride level (mg./l) 1 Northern side 0.25 2 Central part 2.86 3 Eastern side 3.43 4 Southern side 3.75 5 Northern side 3.06 6 Northern side 0.21 7 Central part 0.33

Source : PHED, West Bengal, 2006

e) Pattern of fluoride contamination in Fullachak village

This village is situated at the right bank of the Hinglo River of Khoyrasole block. When the problem of fluoride has been detected from the village, quickly all the contaminated tube wells were banned as well as sealed. Still there are some other personal/private tube wells used for drinking purpose. Few are contaminated. Rests of them are not contaminated by fluoride. But the taste of water of all those tube wells is brackish. Only one government tube well is present which is well in taste as well as not contaminated by fluoride. But there is also a problem, that is, that tube well is not only outside the village but also far away from the village. Thus many villagers most of the time select the tube wells inside the village which are not atleast brackish because is not possible to collect the water all the time from outside the village. They are less careful about the fact that whether the tube well water is fluoride affected or not.

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The surveyed households of Fullachak village can be divided in to two groups on the basis of choice of source of drinking water. From the field study we have known that recently a group of households drink water from affected and non-affected tube wells. They are 40 %. Second group of households drink water only from non-affected tube wells. They are 60 %.

Conclusion:

So, from this discussion it can be inferred that problem of fluoride has become endemic in affected villages of Birbhum district because it does not occur anywhere. Nasipur, Bhabanandapur, Nawapara-Junidpur, Lauberia and Fullachak of Birbhum District are the study villages having this problem and these are the highest affected villages in the Birbhum district. This spatial distribution has been determined mainly by geological strata. Presence of fluoride bearing rocks like basalt, granite etc. are responsible for it. Though the prime source of fluoride is geological strata but human being gets it mainly from underground water.All the study villages are affected but spatial pattern of fluoride contamination varies from one village to another. This is depending on the fluoride content in the geological strata associated with the underground water, duration of interaction between underground water and geological strata, rate of evaporation etc. It is also a serious and sorrowful matter of concern that in each and every village a sensible portion of villagers are still using the fluoride contaminated water for drinking purpose. However the ultimate effect is painful and crippling fluorosis.

Thus from this research if the pain of the affected inhabitants is felt then we will be better able to understand what to do and what not to. Though some steps have already been taken but those are not up to the mark.If the proper policy measures and action programmes are executed honestly then the affected villagers can be escaped from this environmental curse.

References BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) (2009). Indian Standard Specifications for Drinking Water,Second Revision of IS: 10500.

Chatterjee, S.N., (2004). Fluorosis menace cripples Nasipur village- A case study. “Water Resources: Development and Management” 115-118.

PHED, W.B. 2006. Summary of Water Quality Status in West Bengal, Public Health Engineering Department, Govt of West Bengal.

UNICEF, (1999). State of art report on the extent of fluoride in drinking water and the resulting endemicity in India, Fluorosis Research and Rural Development Foundation for UNICEF, New Delhi.

WHO, (2002) Fluorides, Environmental Health Criteria 227. World Health Organisation, Geneva, pp. 268.

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