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Journal of Water Pollution & Purification Research

Arsenic Contamination in Groundwater of the Majha Belt of Punjab, India, and its Probable Carcinogenic and Non-Carcinogenic Health Hazards

  1. Hardev Singh Virk
  2. Srijita Ghosh

Abstract

Arsenic is widespread in India. Majha belt of Punjab State, comprising districts of Amritsar, Gurdaspur and Tarn Taran, is reported facing a crisis situation due to high levels of arsenic in its groundwater. ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) has reported arsenic beyond safe limit in 13 districts of Punjab. Sample analysis was done using standard protocol in the sophisticated laboratory of DWSS (Department of Water Supply and Sanitation) in Mohali using ICP-MS        (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer).Highest arsenic contamination was found in the groundwater of Amritsar district which has 325 habitats with As contamination varying from 11 to 111 ppb, followed by Gurdaspur having 218 habitats with As variation 11-85 ppb, and Tarn Taran with 107 habitats having As variation 12-83 ppb, respectively. High levels of arsenic in groundwater are attributed to both geogenic and anthropogenic sources. Anthropogenic sources include intensive agricultural practices based on use of fertilisers, herbicides, and weedicides. The values of average daily dose (ADD), hazard quotient (HQ) and cancer risk (CR) of Arsenic in groundwater of Majha belt districts of Punjab are calculated using standard formulation developed by US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). The average value of hazard quotient (HQ) for children and adults in Amritsar district is estimated to be 11.13 and 8.0, respectively. The HQ values for all the 650 habitations surveyed in the Majha belt of Punjab are greater than 1, which is a probable risk for inhabitants for developing adverse carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health hazards. The predicted values for cancer induction in children and adults of Amritsar district are 500 and 360 per million, respectively. Mitigation of arsenic in groundwater is an urgent need of the Majha belt.
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