Groundwater chemical contamination: The implication for human health

Abstract

Daurala is a small agricultural town located in western Uttar Pradesh. The majority of inhabitants rely on groundwater as their primary source of drinking water. In 2005, research revealed high concentrations of toxic metals in drinking water samples. Specifically, lead exceeding the maximum contaminant level (U.S. EPA) of 0.015 mg/l was found to be present in each sample, with the highest level recorded at 5.51 mg/l. Being an agricultural hub, waste water in Daurala is regularly utilized for crop irrigation. With concentrations of arsenic, chromium, copper and cyanide also found in waste water samples, soil was also analysed to acquire an understanding of the scale and spread of contamination. Concentrations of lead were again found in each sampled location, in addition to toxic metals such as arsenic and cyanide. To determine the impact of this on the health of Daurala's inhabitants, a survey covering 14,888 of the population was conducted, with results indicating that approximately 23 % of residents were in a state of ill health. Gastrointestinal diseases were some of the common conditions experienced in Daurala, with 1,007 people suffering from similar ailments. Exposure to copper is a known cause of these health problems, and this is one of many links between the chemical contamination of water and human health which have been identified through this study. This research also provides an insight into how effective communication and partnership between local stakeholders can both address and resolve water pollution issues for the benefit of a community as a whole.