Stander of Water quality

 

Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the national standards body of India functioning under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Government of India. BIS is responsible for the development of standards, certification, and quality control in various sectors, ensuring the safety and quality of products available in India.



Key Functions of BIS:

  1. Standardization:

    • BIS formulates Indian standards across diverse sectors like agriculture, textiles, electronics, chemicals, and more.
    • It ensures that the standards align with the global requirements, enhancing product quality and safety.

  2. Certification:

    • BIS runs a voluntary certification scheme, allowing manufacturers to use the ISI mark (Indian Standards Institute), indicating compliance with Indian standards.
    • For certain products, certification is mandatory (e.g., electrical appliances, cement, drinking water), ensuring safety for consumers.

  3. Conformity Assessment:

    • BIS conducts regular inspections, testing, and audits of manufacturing units to ensure compliance with standards.
    • Products that conform to standards receive BIS certification, which is an assurance of quality and safety.

  4. Hallmarking:

    • BIS is responsible for the hallmarking of precious metals like gold and silver.
    • Hallmarking guarantees the purity of jewelry, protecting consumers from adulteration.

  5. Laboratory Services:

    • BIS operates several laboratories across India to conduct testing and analysis of products for compliance with standards.
    • It supports the certification process and provides testing services to the industry.

  6. International Cooperation:

    • BIS represents India in international standardization bodies like the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
    • It ensures that Indian standards align with international standards, facilitating global trade and improving product competitiveness.

  7. Training and Capacity Building:

    • BIS runs training programs and awareness campaigns to educate industries, stakeholders, and consumers about standardization, certification, and quality control.
    • It operates the National Institute of Training for Standardization (NITS) for capacity-building initiatives.

  8. Consumer Affairs:

    • BIS works on consumer protection by creating awareness about the benefits of standards, certification, and hallmarking.
    • It addresses consumer complaints related to the quality and safety of certified products.

Key Certification Marks of BIS:

  1. ISI Mark:

    • A widely recognized certification mark in India, it signifies that a product meets Indian standards for safety, quality, and performance. It is mandatory for products like electrical appliances, cement, and LPG cylinders.



  1. Hallmark:

    • A certification mark for gold, silver, and other precious metals, confirming their purity.


  1. Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS):

    • Applicable to certain electronic and IT products, ensuring that products meet safety standards before they enter the Indian market.


Importance of BIS:

  1. Consumer Safety and Quality Assurance:

    • BIS ensures that consumers have access to safe, reliable, and high-quality products. This builds trust in the Indian market.

  2. Regulation of Critical Products:

    • By making certification mandatory for certain products (e.g., electrical appliances, cement), BIS plays a crucial role in preventing the sale of substandard or dangerous goods.

  3. Support for Industry:

    • By setting clear standards, BIS helps industries improve their product quality, enabling them to compete in both domestic and global markets.

  4. Environmental and Sustainability Goals:

    • BIS standards also incorporate environmental considerations, helping industries adopt eco-friendly and sustainable practices.

BIS Act, 2016:

The BIS Act, 2016, provides the legal framework for the Bureau of Indian Standards, outlining its authority and responsibilities. It replaced the BIS Act of 1986 to modernize the body and make it more efficient in regulating standards in India.

  • Key Provisions:
    • Expands BIS’s authority to cover hallmarking, conformity assessments, and other areas of product quality regulation.
    • Grants BIS the authority to enforce mandatory certification for more products, ensuring consumer safety.
    • Establishes penalties for non-compliance with standards, encouraging manufacturers to meet prescribed norms.

Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in Water Analysis

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has established standards for drinking water quality and water analysis, ensuring that the water consumed by the public is safe and free from harmful contaminants. These standards are critical in assessing the quality of drinking water and ensuring that it meets the health and safety requirements for human consumption.

Key BIS Standards for Drinking Water:

  1. IS 10500: 2012 - Drinking Water Specifications:
    • This is the primary standard set by BIS for drinking water quality in India. It outlines the acceptable limits for various physical, chemical, and microbiological parameters in drinking water.

Water Quality Parameters in IS 10500:

The BIS drinking water standards categorize water quality parameters into two categories: Acceptable Limits and Permissible Limits in the Absence of an Alternative Source.

1. Physical Parameters:

These parameters refer to the observable characteristics of water.

  • Turbidity: The clarity of water, indicating the presence of suspended particles.

    • Acceptable limit: 1 NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Units)


  • Color: Water should ideally be colorless.

    • Acceptable limit: 5 Hazen units


  • Taste and Odor: Water should be free from any unpleasant taste or odor.

  • pH Value: Indicates the acidity or alkalinity of water.

    • Acceptable range: 6.5 to 8.5
2. Chemical Parameters:

These parameters assess the presence of harmful chemicals or minerals in the water.

  • Total Dissolved Solids (TDS): Refers to the total amount of dissolved minerals, salts, or metals in water.

    • Acceptable limit: 500 mg/L
    • Permissible limit: 2000 mg/L

  • Hardness (as CaCO₃): High hardness indicates the presence of calcium and magnesium, which can affect water taste and cause scaling.

    • Acceptable limit: 200 mg/L
    • Permissible limit: 600 mg/L

  • Chloride (Cl⁻): High chloride levels can lead to a salty taste and corrosion in water supply systems.

    • Acceptable limit: 250 mg/L
    • Permissible limit: 1000 mg/L


  • Nitrate (NO₃⁻): Elevated nitrate levels are harmful, particularly to infants, and can cause methemoglobinemia (blue baby syndrome).

    • Acceptable limit: 45 mg/L


  • Fluoride (F⁻): Essential in small quantities but harmful in excess, leading to dental or skeletal fluorosis.

    • Acceptable limit: 1.0 mg/L
    • Permissible limit: 1.5 mg/L


  • Heavy Metals: These include toxic metals such as lead (Pb), arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), and cadmium (Cd), which can cause severe health issues.

    • Lead: 0.01 mg/L
    • Arsenic: 0.01 mg/L
    • Mercury: 0.001 mg/L
3. Microbiological Parameters:

These parameters assess the presence of harmful pathogens, which can cause waterborne diseases.

  • Total Coliform Bacteria: Should be absent in 100 mL of water. Indicates the potential for contamination by bacteria or fecal matter.

                                

  • E. coli: Its presence indicates fecal contamination and a higher risk of gastrointestinal diseases.



4. Pesticide Residues:

Excessive pesticide residues in water can pose serious health risks, including cancer and reproductive issues.

  • Maximum Permissible Limit: 0.001 mg/L for individual pesticides like DDT, aldrin, and others.



Methods of Water Analysis as per BIS:

BIS provides guidelines on how to analyze water for these parameters, ensuring accurate and reliable testing. Some common methods include:

1. Physical Analysis:

  • Turbidity Meter: Measures the cloudiness or clarity of water.
  • pH Meter: Measures the acidity or alkalinity.
  • Conductivity Meter: Determines the total dissolved solids (TDS) by measuring water’s electrical conductivity.

2. Chemical Analysis:

  • Titration: Used for analyzing hardness, chloride, and alkalinity.
  • Spectrophotometry: Used to measure concentrations of chemicals like nitrate and fluoride.
  • Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS): Utilized to detect trace amounts of heavy metals (lead, mercury, arsenic).
  • Ion Chromatography: A precise method used to measure concentrations of ions like nitrate, chloride, and sulfate in water.

3. Microbiological Analysis:

  • Membrane Filtration Technique: Water samples are filtered to trap bacteria, which are then cultured to detect total coliform and E. coli.
  • Multiple-Tube Fermentation Method: Determines the presence of coliforms by observing gas production during bacterial fermentation.

Importance of BIS Water Standards:

  1. Public Health Protection:

    • The standards ensure that drinking water is free from harmful contaminants, safeguarding public health.
    • Monitoring parameters like heavy metals, pathogens, and chemical pollutants helps prevent diseases and long-term health issues caused by contaminated water.

  2. Environmental Protection:

    • The standards play a crucial role in maintaining the quality of water bodies (rivers, lakes, and groundwater) by setting benchmarks for acceptable pollution levels.

  3. Compliance and Enforcement:

    • BIS standards provide a legal framework for authorities and organizations to follow, ensuring that water supplied to households and industries is of high quality.
    • These standards also provide a reference for water treatment plants to optimize their processes and meet regulatory requirements.

  4. Industrial and Domestic Water Use:

    • BIS standards are not only crucial for drinking water but also for water used in industrial processes. Poor water quality can damage equipment or affect product quality, making compliance essential for industries.
    • At the domestic level, adhering to BIS standards ensures water supplied in homes is safe for consumption, bathing, and other uses.

World Health Organization (WHO)

The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN), responsible for international public health. Founded on 7 April 1948, its headquarters is located in Geneva, Switzerland. WHO plays a critical role in guiding global health policy, coordinating international health efforts, and providing leadership on key public health issues.

Objectives of WHO:

The primary goal of WHO is to ensure that people all over the world achieve the highest possible level of health. Health, as defined by WHO, is not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, but a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being.

Key Functions of WHO:

  1. Global Health Policy:

    • WHO sets international health standards and provides guidance on health policy to countries around the world.
    • It collaborates with member countries to design health systems and programs that improve healthcare delivery and access.

  2. Disease Prevention and Control:

    • WHO coordinates efforts to combat communicable diseases (such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and COVID-19) and non-communicable diseases (such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes).
    • The organization works on global immunization programs and disease surveillance to track and respond to outbreaks.

  3. Health Promotion:

    • WHO promotes healthy lifestyles through public education campaigns about nutrition, physical activity, and mental health.
    • It raises awareness of health risks, such as tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and environmental hazards like air pollution.

  4. Health Systems Strengthening:

    • WHO supports countries in strengthening their health systems, ensuring they are resilient, equitable, and capable of providing essential services.
    • It advises governments on healthcare financing, workforce training, and infrastructure development to improve access to health services.

  5. Emergency Response:

    • In times of global health crises (e.g., pandemics, natural disasters, and disease outbreaks), WHO coordinates the international response by mobilizing resources, providing expertise, and distributing medical supplies.
    • WHO's Health Emergencies Programme helps prepare countries for and respond to emergencies, providing leadership in disaster response.

  6. Health Research and Data Collection:

    • WHO conducts and supports global health research, providing evidence-based recommendations to improve health practices and policies.
    • It collects and analyzes health data from member countries to monitor global health trends and track progress toward achieving global health goals, like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

  7. Setting Global Standards:

    • WHO sets international health standards for medical products, drugs, and vaccines, ensuring their safety and effectiveness.
    • It also provides global guidelines on disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment based on the latest scientific research.

WHO's Role in Water Quality and Health:

One of WHO’s critical areas of focus is ensuring safe drinking water and proper sanitation, which are essential for public health.

WHO Guidelines for Drinking-Water Quality:

The WHO Guidelines for Drinking-Water Quality (GDWQ) provide an international reference point for setting national standards and regulations on drinking water. These guidelines help countries protect public health by controlling waterborne diseases and contaminants.

  1. Key Water Quality Parameters: WHO guidelines provide recommended values for several physical, chemical, biological, and radiological water contaminants, which include:

    • Microbiological contaminants: E. coli and other pathogens, which can cause diseases like diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid.
    • Chemical contaminants: Harmful chemicals like arsenic, lead, fluoride, and nitrate, which can cause chronic illnesses, including cancer and developmental disorders.
    • Radiological contaminants: Radioactive materials that may enter water sources through industrial or natural processes, posing long-term health risks.

  2. Waterborne Diseases: WHO helps combat waterborne diseases by advising countries on water treatment methods, such as chlorination and filtration, and promoting hygiene practices like handwashing and safe sanitation.

  3. Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Programs:

    • WHO, in collaboration with UNICEF, leads the Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP), which tracks global progress in water supply, sanitation, and hygiene.
    • The organization emphasizes the need for universal access to safe drinking water, adequate sanitation, and improved hygiene as part of the Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) – “Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.”

  4. Risk Assessment and Management:

    • WHO promotes the Water Safety Plan (WSP) approach, which focuses on identifying potential risks in water supply systems, managing them effectively, and ensuring safe drinking water from source to tap.

WHO’s Response to Global Health Issues:

1. Pandemics (e.g., COVID-19):

WHO plays a central role in coordinating international responses to pandemics. During the COVID-19 pandemic, WHO provided:

  • Real-time guidance to countries on containment measures, testing protocols, and vaccination rollouts.
  • Technical support for developing vaccines, treatments, and diagnostic tests.
  • Daily situation reports to track the virus's spread globally.

2. Immunization Programs:

WHO coordinates global vaccination campaigns for diseases like polio, measles, and diphtheria, working with countries and partners like GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance to improve immunization coverage in low- and middle-income countries.

3. Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs):

WHO addresses the global rise of non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and diabetes by promoting:

  • Lifestyle changes such as healthier diets, regular exercise, and reducing tobacco use.
  • Policies to reduce risk factors like unhealthy diets, lack of physical activity, and excessive alcohol consumption.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts