Health risk surveillance of arsenic in wastewater, groundwater, and agricultural land along Hudaira drain, Pakistan using GIS techniques

Abstract

The present study focuses on the health risk assessment and spatial distribution of arsenic in Hudaira Drain and its adjoining areas using GIS techniques. For this purpose, surface water, groundwater, and soil samples were collected from the nine transects across the drain. The results of the present study indicated that two of the examined transects were situated in a high arsenic concentration zone and this area was dominated by industrial activities. A strong correlation at 95% confidence level exists among drain water, ground water, and soil. Furthermore, Hazard quotient (HQ) was calculated and results indicated that about 75% of children and 50% of adults may be affected by arsenic through drinking of groundwater. The presence of arsenic in groundwater, which is a major source of drinking water in this area, may cause excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR)> 10-4 in 44.4% of the resident human population. There is an urgent need to focus on the arsenic contamination issue in this area in order to protect the groundwater, surface water, and soil resources from arsenic contamination for better human health.