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Portable kit by BARC : Environment for UPSC Exams
Portable kit by BARC : Environment for UPSC Exams
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Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) has developed a portable kit for detection of Chromium contamination of water.
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Chromium, which is widely used in industries such as leather, steel, chrome plating, paint manufacturing and wood preservation, is one of the major effluents found in water in several parts of the country.
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Hexavalent Chromium Cr (VI) is toxic and the World Health Organisation has classified it as carcinogenic, adding that its presence in water can cause stomach ulcers and cancers and severe damage to kidneys and liver.
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While the existing imported kit for on-site detection of chromium (VI) costs about Rs. 100/sample, analysis using the BARC kit will cost Rs16/sample.
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The portable kit involves adding a specified amount of specific reagents to the water sample and identifying the developed colour. The colour develops within 5 minutes and the distinction can be made with the naked eye. For ease of comparison, a colour chart is provided with the kit.
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According to IS10500 standards for drinking water, the maximum permissible concentration of Cr(VI) in drinking water is 50 microgram per litre. The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) recommends a lower permissible concentration of 10 microgram per litre.