- Water Contamination and Health Risk Assessment:
- Mapping hotspots of groundwater contamination (nitrate, fluoride, arsenic, uranium, heavy metals, pesticides, etc.).
- Linking contaminant exposure to human health outcomes (kidney disease, cancer, neurological impacts, etc.).
- Use of biomarkers, medical records, and epidemiological surveys to establish exposure–disease pathways.
- CKDu Research and Surveillance
- Expanding current CKDu studies from Chhattisgarh to other high-risk states (Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, etc.) in a phased manner.
- Identifying environmental, occupational, and genetic factors contributing to CKDu.
- Developing geospatial risk maps combining hydrology, soil chemistry, occupation, and health data.
- Establishing community-based health surveillance systems in vulnerable regions.
- Nutrition and Water Quality Interactions
- Tracking health risks from emerging pollutants (pharmaceuticals, etc.).
- Investigating how micronutrient deficiencies interact with contaminated water exposure to worsen health outcomes.
- Assessing safe alternatives (nutritional interventions, water purification) to reduce disease burden.
- Community and Public Health Interventions
- Testing low-cost, scalable water treatment technologies in CKDu-affected and contamination-prone regions.
- Training local health workers to recognize early symptoms of CKDu and other water-related diseases.
- Designing awareness campaigns on safe water practices, tailored for rural populations.
- Policy, Capacity, and Collaboration
- Working with public health departments to integrate water–health risk assessments into state health planning.
- Developing policy briefs on safe drinking water standards, regional risk guidelines, and preventive health strategies.
