Nitrate Nightmares: Nitrate Contamination and Health Risks in a Rapidly Expanding City of Central India

Nitrate pollution in drinking water poses a hidden, worldwide health risk, affecting people of all ages. Consumption of nitrate-contaminated groundwater can lead to methemoglobinemia in infants and gastric cancer in adults. This study examines nitrate contamination in dug well water and its health impact in urban Nagpur, India. The nitrate pollution index (NPI), an effective tool for evaluating the pollution of groundwater due to NO₃⁻ content, which we have utilized in city area and in our study the NPI has found to vary from 0.76 to 11.54 with an average value of 4.81. As per NPI, 70%, 5%, 5%, 15% and 5% of groundwater samples are very significantly polluted, significantly polluted, moderately polluted, slightly polluted and unpolluted. The chronic health risk (CHR) for infants, children, adult males and females varies from 0.07—3.52, 0.08—4.07, 0.06—3.01 and 0.06—2.85 and covers 87%, 90.5%, 89% and 85.5% of the study area respectively. The geo-statistical regression and correlation studies significantly divulged that the NO₃⁻ pollution of groundwater is mostly due to man-made activities. The samples, in which the computed values of ‘t’ exceeded the critical value (1.686) at 38 degrees of freedom and 0.05 significance level, the correlation coefficients are found to be statistically significant. The study uncovers human-driven NO₃⁻ pollution in shallow aquifers of Nagpur city, urging action to reduce contaminants. By curbing these pollutants, Nagpur can stride toward UNDP's sustainable development Goal, 2030 for a safer, healthier environment for all.