GROUNDWATER NITRATE CONTAMINATION & ASSOCIATED HUMAN HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT IN LUCKNOW DISTRICT, UTTAR PRADESH

ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

Present study aimed to look into the excessive nitrate concentration in grounwater of 6 regions of Lucknow district which have been previously reported with high nitrate concentrations in groundwater. Each regions is thoroughly investigated by taking 3 different sampling points (handpumps) in the December month, 2019. Out of 6 regions, 4 regions have shown an elevated nitrate concentrations but the obtained concentarions are far below the previously reported concentrations of nitrates in the groundwater. The health risk analysis for the excessive intake of nitarate contaminated water is done by applying USEPA HHRA( Human Health Risk Assessment) model for differnt age groups i.e infants(0-6 months), children(7 month-17 years) and adults(18- 60 years). Result of this study suggests that infants and children are at higher risk for health hazards in comparison to adults. Highest hazard quotient for infants and children is reported in Khujauli village as this region also reported with highest nitrate concentrations among all the studied regions. This HHRA study have found that local residents consuming water from these handpumps are most vulnerable to health hazrds due to ingestion of excess nitrate through drinking water.

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