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Abstract

Water is one of the utmost and fundamental requirements to sustain life on the planet earth. Being a universal solvent, water dissolves toxic organic and inorganic compounds that deteriorate its quality and influence consumer's health. Present day water sources, particularly surface waters are being polluted chiefly by domestic, agricultural, industrial, commercial wastes disposals in addition to natural contamination (e.g. trace metals) added due to the dissolution of natural substances and their subsequent transference in our flowing waters. 1-5 Globally water contamination is major cause of diseases and deaths and the situation become worst in developing countries. 1,6,7 Metal adulterations are mineral based which happen naturally or get in the watersheds through industrial discharges 8 comprising copper, chromium, iron, manganese and lead. 9 Such high levels of these trace metals in water reveal their load in environment. Ingestion of higher amounts of metals through water route is of extreme significance in risk assessment studies in human health. 4,10-12 and such substantial quantity may consequence in alarming adverse health effects ranging from shortness of breath to numerous types of cancers. 13,14 Copper, lead and zinc enter the water, usually through pipelines, 3,4,8,12,16,17 air pollution 18,19 and water stagnation in distribution system may cause significant rise in their levels. 13 Lead is a potent neurotoxin and its occurrence in drinking water is the cause of various adverse health issues in humans. Acute poisoning of lead results in dis-functioning of kidneys, hypertension, brain, CNS, reproductive system, bones and blood enzyme changes. 6,14,20,21 Higher copper concentration is immunotoxic; may cause metabolic and gastrointestinal complications and disturbs the liver and brain specifically in patients of Wilson's disease. 3,14,20,22,23 Higher chromium concentration is carcinogenic as well as genotoxic. 9,24-26 Elevated levels of iron is connected with increasing risks for cancer, heart disease, and other illnesses like arthritis, endocrine problems, diabetes and also liver disease. 21 Although manganese exists in water as a groundwater mineral yet may also enter through underground pollution sources. It may become obvious in tap water (at concentrations higher than 0.5mg/L) by imparting color, odor, or taste to the drinking water although health effects from Mn are not alarming until concentrations cross approximately 5mg/L. 27 Zinc concentration in tap water can be much higher as a consequence of its leaching through piping and fittings. 11,16,20,27 In humans higher concentration of Zn may cause demyelinating disease. 23 Provision of safe drinking water to the public is one of the major concerns in the water sector in Pakistan. According to Farooq et al. 28 approximately 40% of the total population has no access to potable water. WHO recommends that drinking water must be treated in order to make it free from toxic chemicals and pathogens. 20 In Azad Jammu and Kashmir, more than eighty percent ...