Evaluation of uranium and other toxic heavy metals in drinking water of Chamba district, Himachal Pradesh, India for possible health hazards

Uranium and other heavy metals are found in the natural water and may enter the human body when ingested by drinking water. Uranium being radioactive may provide radiological risks, whereas chemical toxicity of uranium and other heavy metals may pose a serious threat to human life. The current research has been undertaken for trace level analysis of uranium and other heavy metals (Fe, Zn, Cu, As, Co, Ag, Cd and Pb) in drinking water samples collected from different locations and sources of water from Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh, India. Uranium concentration has been assessed using LED fluorimeter, whereas the concentration of other heavy metals has been estimated utilizing inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS). Uranium concentration in water samples have been found to vary from 0.50 to 90.46 µg L⁻¹ with mean value of 6.51 µg L⁻¹. About 96% samples have uranium concentration lower than the suggested safe limits of 30 µg L⁻¹ by (WHO, Guidelines for drinking-water quality, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland, 2017). The cancer mortality and morbidity risks have also been estimated using the uranium concentration in drinking water samples. The annual ingestion dose (AID) susceptible to distinct age groups due to ingestion of these waters has also been computed and is found above the prescribed dose of 100 μSv y⁻¹ (International Commission on Radiological Protection, ICRP, (1999) Protection of the public in situations of prolonged radiation exposure. Ann ICRP 29(1–2). ICRP Publication 82) in the water sample of Behra for adolescents and adult males as well as for pregnant and lactating females. Lifetime average daily dose (LADD), Hazards Quotient (HQ) and Heavy Metals Pollution Index (HPI) due to the presence of heavy metals in drinking water samples have also been calculated. LADD for uranium, As and Fe have been found above the recommended limits in the drinking water samples of some villages. Average HQ of the study area has been observed below 1 indicate that the water is good for drinking purpose. HPI has also been found below the analytical pollution index of 100 indicate that the water of the area is not polluted.