Recently I visited CSIR technofest 2010 showcased by Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, New Delhi, at India International Trade Fair in New Delhi, the Capital of India. In this technofest, I have seen a technology "Digital Arsenic Field Kit" which was developed by NEERI (National Environmental Engineering Research Institute), Nagpur, under the aegis of CSIR, New Delhi, India.
What is arsenic?Arsenic is a member of the nitrogen family and it is a semi-metal. It is odorless and tasteless. Consumption of food and water are the major sources of arsenic exposure for the majority of people. People may also be exposed to many arsenic industrial sources and arsenic is used in semiconductor manufacturing, petroleum refining, wood preservatives, animal feed additives, and herbicides. Arsenic can combine with other elements to form inorganic and organic arsenicals. In general, inorganic derivatives are regarded as more toxic than
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