Balasore: Even as water rich in fluoride content is spreading diseases in many parts of Remuna and Bhograi blocks in this district, the administration has drawn up an action plan to battle fluorosis.
As part of the plan, a reverse osmosis (RO) plant will be installed in the area so as to filter the harmful content.
The fluoride concentration is suspected to be higher than the permissible level of 0.5 to 1.5 parts per million (ppm).
Excess fluoride and nitrate in drinking water can cause permanent disability, kidney stone formation, dental fluorosis, skeletal deformities, irritation in eyes and mucous membranes, spine-related ailments, skin disorders, and blue-baby syndrome, according to a report.
Meanwhile, a survey has been conducted in the area and fluorosis-affected patients have been identified.
A team of experts from Gujarat and New Delhi along with MP Rabindra Jena conducted the survey.
A meeting to this effect was held Wednesday at the residential quarters of collector Pramod Kumar Das. The MP, experts from Delhi Dr Utkarsh Bhardwaj, Dr Bimal Pandia, Dr Sundar Rajan, sub-collector Ramachandra Palta, CDMO Bhawani Shankar Pani, CDPO and members of DPC attended the meeting which laid thrust on an action plan to prevent the disease. A committee was formed with sub-collector as nodal officer.
The nodal office will be assisted by CDMO, executive engineer of rural water supply and sanitation (RWSS), CDPO, project officer of Sarva Sikhya Abhiyan and BDOs.
The committee members will carry out a house-to-house survey with help of Anganwadi workers, village level workers and ANMs. Water samples will be collected from three places.
It was decided in the meeting that after identification of fluorosis-affected patients, they will be provided right kind of food while children will be given more food at Anganwadi centres.
Fluoride-rich water has been found in 28 panchayats under Remuna block where the number of fluorosis patients is rising alarmingly.
Meanwhile, RWSS has been asked to install an RO plant at Patripal in Remuna. The action plan will be ready by two to three months, it was learnt. PNN
