IIT Mandi and IIT Jammu discover elements that cause cancer in the groundwater of Baddi-Barotiwala

The Baddi-Barotiwala (BB) industrial area in Himachal Pradesh has alarmingly high amounts of hazardous metals that cause cancer in the groundwater, according to a joint study by IIT Mandi and IIT Jammu. 

Significant health concerns from both natural and industrial toxins are highlighted by this research, highlighting the urgent need for remediation and legislative intervention.

The study was carried out in association with IIT Jammu. Chemical hydrology techniques were utilized in the extensive investigation to analyze groundwater samples and determine the causes of contamination and related health risks.

According to the research, industrial pollutants like zinc, lead, cobalt, nickel, and chromium as well as geogenic uranium present serious health hazards when combined with contaminated groundwater.

Evaluating the quality of groundwater

Researchers from IIT Jammu and the Indian Institute of Technology Mandi have examined the distribution of carcinogens in the groundwater of the Baddi-Barotiwala (BB) industrial area in Himachal Pradesh. India uses a lot of groundwater for both home and agricultural purposes.

But as a result of quickening industrialization, urbanization, and population expansion, groundwater is being used more frequently and is becoming less pure. There are serious problems with water quality in Northern India. 

Similar problems may be seen in the BB industrial area of Himachal Pradesh, where industrialization has exceeded allowable limits in contaminating groundwater with harmful metals.

Identifying Health Risks and Contamination Sources

Using the human health risk assessment model developed by the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) for both adults and children, the study identified possible sources of contamination and assessed the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health hazards associated with oral consumption of contaminated groundwater.

 In addition to creating geospatial maps that illustrate metal contamination and health hazards across village boundaries, the researchers identified important metals of concern.

"Groundwater poses high health risks through oral intake, necessitating urgent remediation," stated Dr. Deepak Swami, Associate Professor, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, IIT Mandi, in reference to the research. 

To avoid health risks, it is crucial to monitor industrial effluents for zinc, lead, nickel, and chromium. For sustainable prosperity, policies must strike a balance between industrial development and public health.

According to the study, the majority of the groundwater in the area is made of rock, primarily calcium carbonate. All samples had uniform uranium levels, and while molybdenum and uranium were found naturally, the majority of the other metals were linked to industrial sources.

 High non-carcinogenic hazards were found in the human health risk assessment for both adults and children, mainly from natural uranium and extra concerns from industrial sources of zinc, lead, cobalt, and barium. Adults were at high risk for cancer, primarily from industrial nickel and chromium.