19/11/2010
Le traitement de l'eau
Household Water Purification: Low-Cost Interventions
Col VK Agrawal (Retd)*, Brig R Bhalwar+
Abstract
Numerous studies have shown that improving the microbiological quality of household water by point-of-use treatment reduces diarrhoea and other waterborne diseases. The most promising and accessible of the technologies for household water treatment are filtration with ceramic filters, chlorination with storage in an improvised vessel, solar disinfection in clear bottles by the combined action of UV radiation and heat, thermal disinfection (pasteurization) in opaque vessels with sunlight from solar cookers or reflectors and combination systems employing chemical coagulation-flocculation, sedimentation, filtration and chlorination. However each of these technologies have limitations and effectiveness can be increased by use of two or more treatment systems in succession for improved treatment and the creation of multiple barriers. In particular those treatments that provide no residual disinfectant, such as boiling, solar treatment, UV disinfection with lamps and filtration could be followed by chlorination to provide a multibarrier approach. Water purifiers based on multiple interventions such as filtration/ultra filtration/ activated carbon adsorption / UV rays disinfection are available in the market which can be used to purify the water at point of use. Water purifiers based on single interventions like candle filters, resins filters or ultraviolet lamp can be used in most places being supplied water after purification. Troops on operational move can purify water by fabric/resins filtration and chlorine disinfection or by flocculent-disinfectant.
Altitude et acclimatation: Pas si simple
Determinants of Acclimatisation in High Altitude
Col VS Syed*, Maj Gen S Sharma+, Col RP Singh#
Abstract
Background: A total of 31 cases of effects of high altitude were admitted to a field hospital from a particular sector during the year 2008. This study was hence undertaken to see the efficacy of acclimatisation as well as outline the determinants of acclimatisation
Methods: The study monitored the transients in the acclimatisation period as well as laid down the guidelines to certify the fitness after the acclimatisation period.
Result: Almost 4.70% of transients were found unfit to proceed to higher altitudes even after acclimatisation. Tachycardia with oxygen saturation below 90% by digital pulse oximetry were the parameters found to be statistically significant as an indicator declare a person as not fully acclimatised or otherwise.
Conclusion: The administrative authorities must ensure that an individual is fully acclimatized, based on the fitness certificat
issued, before being dispatched to their units located in high altitude areas.
MJAFI 2010; 66 : 261-265