The present study focuses on the health risk assessment and spatial distribution of arsenic in Hudaira Drain and its adjoining areas using GIS techniques. For this purpose, surface water, groundwater, and soil samples were collected from the nine transects across the drain. The results of the present study indicated that two of the examined transects were situated in a high arsenic concentration zone and this area was dominated by industrial activities. A strong correlation at 95% confidence level exists among drain water, ground water, and soil. Furthermore, Hazard quotient (HQ) was calculated and results indicated that about 75% of children and 50% of adults may be affected by arsenic through drinking of groundwater. The presence of arsenic in groundwater, which is a major source of drinking water in this area, may cause excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR)> 10-4 in 44.4% of the resident human population. There is an urgent need to focus on the arsenic contamination issue in this area in order to protect the groundwater, surface water, and soil resources from arsenic contamination for better human health.
Hudiara drain, a big sewage water body originating from India, is an important tributary of river Ravi in Pakistan. In present study, role of the drain in build-up/depletion of metal micronutrients Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn in surrounding agricultural lands has been investigated. Soil samples, up to a vertical distance of 1200 m on both sides of the drain and drain water samples were collected and analysed for metal micronutrients. Soil analysis results were interpolated by using the best optimized interpolator to generate continuous variation of the selected metals. Further patterns have been identified using proximity stat with consecutive neighbouring zones of 100 m extent. Cu and Mn concentrations were higher in some drain water samples, whereas Fe and Zn were found below guidelines in all collected water samples. In adjacent agricultural land the metals did not show uniform dispersal pattern along the drain length. However, vertical pattern of distribution indicated that drain water was controlling Cu and Zn concentrations, positively, whereas it was causing a dilution effect on Fe and Mn build-up in the surrounding agricultural lands.
Punjab is the leading province of Pakistan in the production of bovine milk and its consumption. Rapid industrialization, high energy demand and production of waste have increased the risk of PCB toxicity in the environment. This research work was designed to assess human dietary exposure of polychlorinated biphenyls (∑PCBs17 congeners) through ingestion of buffalo and cow's milk from eight main districts of Punjab, Pakistan. The average concentration of ∑DL-PCBs (8.74 ng g -1 and 14.60 ng g -1 ) and ∑I-PCBs (11.54 ng g -1 and 18.68 ng g -1 ) in buffalo and cow milk samples were analyzed respectively. The PCB 156 was predominantly high congener found in both buffalo (2.84 ng g -1 ) and cow milk (2.86 ng g -1 ). It was found that the highest PCBs in bovine milk samples were observed in close vicinities of urban and industrial areas. The estimated daily consumptions of DL-PCBs and I-PCBs, from buffalo and cow milk, were below the acceptable daily intake for both adults and children. Moreover, Hazard Quotients (HQ) of ∑PCBs17 congeners value were less than 1.0 in adults and greater in the case of children reflecting the high chances of cancer risk. Furthermore, comprehensive monitoring for childhood cancer is recommended to establish the relationship in future studies.
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