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Water and Health pp 385–397Cite as

Water Quality and Health Issues in South-West Parts of Punjab State, India

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Abstract

South-west parts of Punjab State comprising Bathinda, Faridkot, Ferozepur, Mansa and Muktsar districts suffer from groundwater quality and associated health problems. Results of hydrogeological and hydrochemical investigations reveal that hot spots of fluoride and uranium having more than permissible concentrations prescribed for drinking water by the World Health Organisation (WHO) occur in most parts of the area. Arsenic hot spots occur locally, but are not widely spread. Other heavy metals (Cr, Se, Hg, Mn, Cu, Zn, etc.) show temporal variations in their concentration and do not occur consistently. Radon concentration in groundwater is within safe limit. In addition, pesticide residues have also been found to occur in groundwater. The cocktail of such toxics and pesticides in groundwater has affected the human health in the area. Fluoride is responsible for causing bone and joint problems, whereas uranium is nephrotoxic and affects the kidneys. Cases of arsenic skin disorders, notably pigmentation changes (melanosis), were not observed in the area. Pesticides are known to be carcinogenic, and their presence in human blood of cancer patients indicates their harmful impact. To alleviate health problems, enhancement of safe canal water supply for drinking purpose is recommended besides installing reverse osmosis plants in the area for removing uranium, fluoride and other toxics from ground water.

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Acknowledgments

The author is thankful to University Grants Commission (UGC) for awarding Emeritus Fellowship and sanctioning a major research project which helped in carrying out more research on these aspects. Thanks also to Chairman Geology Department, Panjab University, Chandigarh, for providing facilities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre of Advanced Study in Geology, Punjab University, Chandigarh, 160014, India

    K. P. Singh

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  1. K. P. Singh
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Correspondence to K. P. Singh .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Center of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Mohali, Punjab, India

    Prati Pal Singh

  2. The National Academy of Sciences, Allahabad, India

    Vinod Sharma

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Singh, K.P. (2014). Water Quality and Health Issues in South-West Parts of Punjab State, India. In: Singh, P., Sharma, V. (eds) Water and Health. Springer, New Delhi. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-1029-0_23

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