Potential health risks assessment associated with arsenic-contaminated groundwater in the eastern district of Uttar Pradesh, India: a case study

The intrusion of arsenic (As) into groundwater has prompted extensive investigation and research on various aspects of its spatial distribution and mobilization in aquifers, posing a global risk to human health. Arsenic is a known carcinogen and it is essential to understand the associated health risks before implementation of mitigation measures. In this study, an As-contaminated area i.e. district Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, India, was identified for comprehensive groundwater monitoring and health risk assessment. A total 195 groundwater samples were collected from nine blocks for analysis. Various physicochemical water quality parameters were analysed along with comprehensive monitoring of As in the groundwater samples. Of total, 32% of the groundwater samples exhibited As concentrations surpassing the safe limit set by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Additionally, the study also highlighted the potential contamination of As in groundwater and associated risks for human health. The calculated hazard quotient (HQ) and cancer risk (CR) at most monitoring stations exceeded the limits prescribed by the US Environmental Protection Agency (HQ > 1; CR > 10⁻⁶), indicating a significant risk to the population living in vicinity of the locations subjected for study.