Developed an iron testing kit for quantitative determination of iron content of water in field conditions.

• Accuracy ± 0.1 ppm
• Test results are precise and quantitative .
• Suitable to carry in field condition.
• Semiskilled workers can provide conclusive results on iron content of water

DRL Tezpur has developed the water testing field kit “Gunj” for the benefit of the people living in the remote areas where accessibility and scarcity of treated water prevail. Essentiality to ascertain the water quality in order to get rid of water-borne diseases is a basic need. Water-borne diseases affect the consumers to a large extent. A semiskilled person for testing potability of water can use the water testing field kit developed by this laboratory in the field condition. The kit provides water testing facilities for both physico-chemical and bacteriological parameters on accepted / rejected basis. The following are the tests provided in the kit.  

• PH.
• Fluoride.
• Nitrate.
• Total hardness.
• Residual chlorine.
• Chloride
• Iron
• Coliform bacteria

• Adequate aeration.
• Removal of major portion of iron in the sedimentation chamber.
• Filter bed cracking is prevented and clogging delayed.
• Double filtration ensures better iron removal.
• Proper backwashing.
• Easy operation and maintenance.  

• Defence Services

• Army units - 7 Nos.
• HQ Eastern Command, Kolkata – 200 Nos.

• Patent has been filed for the design of the IRU (No. 1984/4 dated 07 Feb 2005)

• Removal of arsenic from water is tried with commonly available natural materials. it is used as filter bed and it removes a good amount of arsenic from the water. The work is under progress.
• Removal of fluoride from water using commonly available plant materials with alum is very encouraging. The method removes 86.6% fluoride from water containing 9.04 ppm fluoride.
• A method for removal of fluoride from water is tried with alkali extract of leaf biomass at pH 8.0 resulting a removal of 68% fluoride.

Nearly 70-80% of population of India is living in the rural areas and almost 75% of these areas are yet to be covered by electrical power supply. On the other hand half of the population is under poverty line, many rural families are still to afford electricity supply. The fates of far front areas are more pitiful due to lack of hygienic awareness among the population and unhealthy social and environmental condition. The villages surrounded by forests, ponds and rivers are inviting every risk of high proliferation of mosquito borne diseases like malaria.  

Keeping in view the above facts and to overcome the hurdles, the laboratory, through its research and development efforts, has developed an indigenous "Mosquito Vaporizer" kit suitable for rural and remote areas. The kit mainly consists of one kerosene oil burner and a herbal liquid extract. The kerosene burner emits heat, which in turn vaporizes the herbal liquid integrated to the burner resulting in repellency to mosquitoes.  

• Herbal product
• Eco-friendly
• Highly effective with no side effects
• Cost effective

Studies show that though the chemical repellents against mosquitoes, black flies and leeches are highly effective, users do not prefer these due to their typical chemical odour and burning sensation on the surface of the skin and eyelids etc. Moreover, essential oil of plants have been tried as mosquito repellent which gives only 1-2 hours protection against mosquito bites.

DRL, Tezpur has developed poly herbal mosquito repellent which is the combination of three most promising mosquito repellent essential oils. In-vivo trial of the repellent showed 5 hours protection against mosquito bites.

• It is completely natural oil.
• No burning or any other sensation when used on body skin.
• The odour is sweet.
• It creates no stain on the body.

A variety of natural habitats such as water filled tree hole, bamboo stump, split coconut husk, rock pool, leaf axles etc. can serve as ideal breeding ground for freshwater breeding mosquitoes like Anopheles and Ades. While natural habitats provide ideal breeding ground for mosquito in rural areas. Manmade habitats are the major contributing factors in urban areas.  

• The technique is simple, non-toxic to non-target organism and biodegradable in nature.
• Economically feasible and easily adaptable in the field.
• The tablet floats on water from 4-7 days, larvicidal plant extracts present in the tablet dissolves in water with the help of mucilage present in tablet and kills the larvae.
• Effectiveness of the tablet lasts for 5 days.  

• Tablet can be thrown to target areas without visiting the place physically.
• It is easy to store for a longer period and cost effective in transportation.
• The tablet is helpful to control the Anopheles mosquito larvae as the latter remains on the surface of the water.

DRLT-138 Bacillus sphaericus

DRL, Tezpur has isolated entomopathogenic bacteria from soil which is highly effective against Culex and Anopheles larvae. It has also been found effective against Aedes species. The bacteria were identified as Bacillus sphaericus G.C. Sub group IV. Bs acts on mosquito larvae through its parasporal crystal delta endotoxin. The endotoxin acts on mid-gut epithelium causing disintegration of gut wall, cessation of feeding activity, starvation and leakage of gut contents into haemolymph and body cavity of the mosquito larvae causing paralysis and death. After getting amazing success in extensive field trial for control of mosquito larvae, the B. sphaericus G.C. sub group IV has been used to develop a bio-larvicide of 10% powder formulation.  

• No chemical present in the formulation.
• Environment friendly, safe even for drinking water.
• Effectively controls larvae of Anopheles and Culex in varying habitats.
• Easy to handle, transport, store and apply in rural as well as urban areas.

Maintained Lamacamp as malaria free cantonment by adopting minimum control measures:  

Monthly active surveillance of malaria was carried out in cantonment and surrounding villages for early detection and treatment of malaria cases to reduce the parasitic load in the populace.  

A total of 8414 bed nets were impregnated with K-othrine flow (2.5%) @ 25mg/cm2 in Army (3095) and Civil populace (5319) as a personal protection measure for reduction of man-mosquito contact to check transmission of malaria. 4 to 5 months effectiveness was observed.  

• Geo referencing and image processing of three study areas was done on LISS-III and panchromatic on the basis of toposheets and segment maps were prepared and analyzed.
• Possible environmental factors responsible for multiplication of malaria vectors were identified.
• Identified four malaria endemic areas on Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border through IRS in collaboration with NERIWALM, Tezpur.

Malaria has been controlled in Karbi Village, Naharani, Hograjuli, Ramoni, Kekurijan, Balijan banua, Bhalukpong, gamani, Satai and Nigam village of Assam bordering Arunachal Pradesh and Khekiho village in Nagaland.

Organized malaria awareness camps in areas located around Army cantonment in Sonitpur district (Assam), Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. Encouraged indigenous cultural practices to keep away mosquitoes.

G-6-PD deficiency is a genetic disorder of red blood cell metabolism. Individuals deficient of this enzyme may suffer from hemolytic anemia induced by certain types of drugs. Therefore, data on the frequency and distribution of G-6-PD deficiency is important to implement proper drug therapy. Collected 869 blood samples from troops (340) and civil populace (529). Recorded G-6-PD deficiency in troops and civil populace as 1.8% and 3.21% respectively.

Malaria vector survey was carried out in Lama camp, Hoograjuli, Naharani, Bengenajuli, Lama camp, Foothills, Bhalukpong, Nigam, Gamani, Satai, Kekurijan, Balijan banua, Duflagarh Behali, Khekiho village (Nagaland) and Kimin (Arunachal Pradesh) for vector identification and adoption of suitable control measures. Major malaria vectors encountered were Anopheles minimus, An. dirus, An. culicifacies, An. philippinensis, An. annularis, An. maculatus and An. fluviatilis. Highest numbers of malaria vectors (24 - 46 per trap night) were collected from Bhalukpong.

Visited wheeler Island, Balasore, Orissa for control of mosquitoes, biting flies and houseflies. In Wheeler Island biting flies creates havoc among the DSC people. The fly was identified as Stomoxys species.

• Indoor residual spray with Deltamethrine in all observatory points, guardrooms and all living accommodations.
• Identification and spraying of possible breeding sites.
• Treated bed nets with insecticides.