Heavy metal load is one of the factor causing deterioration of water quality of rivers and anthropogenic activities being the major cause. Present article is an attempt to evaluate the potential human health risks posed by four heavy metals (Pb, Mn, Cr and Cd). We have estimated the concentration of these heavy metal at different points of river Ganga as well as at confluence point of Ganga and Varuna rivers as follows: Pb 1.29 mg/L, Mn 1.325 mg/L, Cr 0.169 mg/L and Cd 0.161mg/L, which was above than the permissible limits stated by Environment protection agency EPA in drinking water. Randomly seven indigenous species of fishes were collected from the wild and were processed for checking the occurrence of these metals in the tissues such as Gills, Liver and Muscle. In all the seven selected fish species, degree of heavy metal concentration followed liver > gills > muscles. Highest accumulation of Pb was observed in Cyprinus carpio liver (8.86 µg/g) and lowest in Baikari muscles (0.07 µg/g). Total THQ value i.e. hazard index (HI) of metals was calculated for these fish species that are frequently consumed and the data showed HI values in following sequence: C.carpio > O. nilotus > C.punctatus > J.coitor > M.armatus > M.tengara > Baikari. Average HI value for C. carpio and O. nilotus was found above 1 which indicates that intake of heavy metals through these species may cause health hazard for human. Maximum HI was recorded in Carpio, which is highly consumed fish by human, hence may be harmful to them. These findings pose a threat to human population and hence needs regular monitoring of metals in fishes to prevent entry into food chain and its effect on the human beings.
The association between heavy metals and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) patients was explored with respect to the longest and pious Indian river Ganga. This study is designed to investigate the severity and heavy metal contamination in the blood of Gangetic (within 25 km from river Ganga) and non-Gangetic (> 25 km from river Ganga) ALS patients. Out of 65 recruited ALS patients, 36 from the Gangetic belt and 29 from the Non-Gangetic belt. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis functional rating Scale (ALSFRS), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) were calculated to study disease progression. Lead (Pb), Manganese (Mn) and Cadmium (Cd) concentrations were estimated in the whole blood of 23 subjects from Gangetic belt, 19 subjects from Non Gangetic belt and 23 heathy controls via Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) technique. A significantly lower FAB score was obtained in Gangetic patients. Pb concentration was significantly higher in both the diseased group than control and Cd concentration was detected significantly higher in Gangetic ALS patients than non Gangetic patients and control group.
Quality of the river water and sediments are deteriorating day by day in Indian rivers due to excessive anthropogenic activities and pollutants entering through various sources. Heavy metal loads in the rivers are one such factor that are adding to human health risks as well. In our study we estimated the concentration of the heavy metals (Pb, Mn, Cr and Cd) in river bed and in water at different points of river Ganga as well as at confluence point of Ganga and Varuna rivers. We found that Ganga river in Varanasi is highly loaded with metals (PLI= 6.698) Mean concentration in water follows: Pb 1.29 mg/L, Mn 1.325 mg/L, Cr 0.169 mg/L and Cd 0.161mg/L, which was above than the permissible limits stated by Environment protection agency EPA in drinking water. Randomly seven indigenous species of fishes were collected from the wild and were processed for checking the occurrence of these metals in the tissues such as Gills, Liver and Muscle. In all the seven selected fish species, degree of heavy metal concentration followed liver > gills > muscles. Highest accumulation of Pb was observed in Cyprinus carpio liver (8.86 μg/g) and lowest in Baikari muscles (0.07 μg/g). Total THQ value i.e. hazard index (HI) of metals was calculated for these fish species that are frequently consumed and the data showed HI values in following sequence: C.carpio > O. nilotus > C.punctatus > J.coitor > M.armatus > M.tengara > Baikari. Average HI value for C. carpioand O. nilotus was found above 1 which indicates that intake of heavy metals through these species may cause health hazard for human. Maximum HI was recorded in Carpio, which is highly consumed fish by human, hence may be harmful to them. These findings pose a threat to human population and hence needs regular monitoring of metals in fishes to prevent entry into food chain and its effect on the human beings.
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