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CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS
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About 77% water samples of Southern Punjab
were found within safe limits prescribed by WHO of 10 ppb of arsenic
contamination.
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More than 97% water samples are found to be
fit if we follow PSQCA standard of 50 ppb for arsenic contamination.
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Arsenic contamination problem is
comparatively more in Bahawalpur District considering the >50 ppb limit.
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Field testing kits can be used only for
preliminary survey as these kits have shown un-acceptable levels of
errors.
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Considerations should be given to rectify
arsenic contamination as a public health emergency in the affected
areas.
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Epidemiological studies should be conducted
to assess the impacts of higher arsenic concentration on the health of
local people.
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Low cost arsenic removal filters developed
by PCRWR should be distributed among the people of the affected areas.
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Arsenic free alternate water supplies should
be ensured to the people of the affected areas.
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All the tube wells, hand pumps and
irrigation wells having higher arsenic content than 50 ppb should be
sealed and those with less than 50 ppb should be monitored regularly
atleast once in a year.
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Arsenic testing facilities for tube wells,
hand pumps should be made available to the people of the affected areas
at a reasonable cost.
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Sampling with extensive sampling density
from locations in surroundings of the affected areas should be carried
out.
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Anthropogenic sources survey should be
conducted in arsenic contaminated areas to sort out the actual cause of
arsenic contamination in groundwater.
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Mass awareness program must be launched at
national level to make the people aware of the problem, health impacts
and solution of the arsenic poisoning in the groundwater.
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Research should be carried out on risk of
arsenic in food chains, impacts of arsenic contaminated water on soil
and crop quality.
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