Quantification and health risk assessment due to heavy metals in potable water to the population living in the vicinity of a proposed nuclear power project site in Haryana, India

Abstract

This study reports heavy metals’ concentrations in groundwater in the proximity of proposed nuclear power project site in Fatehabad district of Haryana, India. Heavy metals’ quantification was done using flame atomic absorption spectrometer. The average concentration of metals was: Zn (0.20 ± 0.72 mg L⁻¹), Cu (0.13 ± 0.11 mg L⁻¹), Ni (0.20 ± 0.05 mg L⁻¹), Fe (0.16 ± 0.10 mg L⁻¹), Cr (0.13 ± 0.05 mg L⁻¹), Cd (0.02 ± 0.004 mg L⁻¹) and Co (0.07 ± 0.02 mg L⁻¹). Ni, Cr and Cd concentrations were higher than WHO and Indian Standards (IS: 10500). Multivariate statistical techniques, viz. inter-metal correlation, cluster analysis (CA) and principal component analysis were applied for the interpretation of data. Significantly, positive correlations were observed between Fe and Cr (r = 0.341; p < 0.01) and Co and Cr (r = 0.441; p < 0.01). The results of inter-metal correlation were further supported by CA as primary cluster pairs were found for Cr–Co, Fe–Cr and Ni–Cd in groundwater. Potential non-carcinogenic health risks of heavy metals were calculated using Hazard Quotient (HQ) and Hazard Index (HI) methods. For non-cancer risks, HQ values were in the following order: Cd (2.16 ± 0.53) > Ni (0.67 ± 0.19) > Cu (0.21 ± 0.18) > Zn (0.04 ± 0.13) > Fe (0.02 ± 0.01) > Cr (0.01 ± 0.003) for inhabitants of the study area. HI results indicate non-carcinogenic risk to general public of this area through consumption of groundwater.

Keywords:

• Heavy metal
• Groundwater pollution
• Chronic daily intake
• Health risk index
• Atomic absorption spectrophotometer