Abstract
The curse of heavy metals contamination in groundwaters of Punjab state is an obvious source of health hazards for the population of Punjab. According to the data compiled by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), the total number of villages affected by heavy metal contamination is 2420 in India, out of which 2139 (88%) fall in Punjab state. This shows an alarming situation and an environmental crisis waiting for Punjab. Department of Water Supply and Sanitation (DWSS) of Punjab Government has conducted a groundwater survey of entire Punjab under the World Bank funded project “Toward Managing Rural Drinking Water Quality in the State of Punjab, India” to determine heavy metal contamination of groundwater. Our analysis pertaining to heavy metals, such as Uranium, Arsenic, Selenium, Mercury, Iron, Nickel, Cadmium, Chromium, and Lead in groundwaters of Punjab, is based on DWSS World Bank Project data.
Punjab state is further divided into three geographical areas, known as Majha, Malwa, and Doaba. Our investigations reveal that Malwa districts, known as the ‘Cancer belt’ of Punjab, have all Uranium content higher than the WHO safe limit of 30 ppb in water. Arsenic and Selenium contamination is abundant in Majha and Doaba districts, respectively. Ferozepur district in Malwa is a “Hot Spot” of Mercury contamination. Nickel and Cadmium are both equally rampant in Punjab with concentration variation from 0.02 mg/l to 0.947 mg/l and 0.003 mg/l to 0.162 mg/l, respectively. Almost 80% villages with chromium concentration higher than WHO limit fall in Hoshiarpur district of Punjab. Lead is highly toxic and its concentration in groundwater above the WHO safe limit has been found in 708 villages with a variation from 0.010 mg/l to 0.479 mg/l.
Heavy metal toxicity in water can result in various health hazards which are well documented. Long-term exposure may result in slowly progressing physical, muscular, and neurological degenerative processes that mimic Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, muscular dystrophy, and multiple sclerosis. DWSS of Punjab is involved in mitigation strategies to reduce the heavy metals content below the WHO limits. Presently, DWSS has opted for the supply of Canal water to all households in Punjab, which is the most economical source of drinking water, and also free of heavy metal contamination.
Biography
Prof. Hardev Singh Virk was born in Kamoke, district Gujranwala (now in Pakistan) on 23rd Feb. 1942. He received his M.Sc. in Physics from Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh (1963) and Doctorate in Nuclear Physics from Marie Curie University, Paris (France) in 1972. He served in Punjabi University, Patiala (1965-79) and Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar (1979-2002). His research interests are manifold: Nuclear & Radiation Physics; Geochronology; Earthquakes & Environment; Ion Tracks & Nanotechnology; History & Philosophy of Science; Sikh Religion and Punjabi Literature.
Professor Virk retired from Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar in June 2002 after serving as Director Research and Dean Academic Affairs. He was re-employed as Director Research, DAV Institute of Engineering & Technology, Jalandhar (2008-2011); Adjunct Professor, Akal University, Baru Sahib (2010-till date); Visiting Professor, SGGS World University, Fatehgarh Sahib (2013-17); and Professor of Eminence, Punjabi University, Patiala (2017-19).
Professor Virk has published 475 research papers in national & international journals; 45 books and 150 articles on Science Education & Science Policy in India. He has presented his Research Papers and Invited Talks in 100 National and 70 International Conferences in 50 countries. He is a globe trotter. He is recipient of several awards, viz., Senior Associateship of International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), Trieste, Italy (1988-93); Shiromani Award as Best Writer of Scientific Literature in Punjabi awarded by the Punjab State Languages Department (1993); Honourable Mention Award of Templeton Foundation (USA) for a Project on Global Perspectives of Science & Sikh Religion (2005); and FRAY International Sustainability Award by FLOGEN Stars Outreach (2022). Presently, he is Professor of Eminence (Honorary), SGGS World University, Fatehgarh Sahib (India).