WEST BENGAL’S HIDDEN THREAT: A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF ARSENIC IN MULTI-REGION GROUNDWATER

Abstract

Ground water is a dynamic, replenish-able and dependable earth resource which acts as a viable substitute to the surface water supply. Arsenic (As) contamination of groundwater affects the health of about 140 million people in India. Long-term exposure to arsenic increases mortality dramatically because it causes a variety of malignancies, lung diseases, and cardiac problems. The current study used a method that enables the measurement of the concentration of many toxic metals including arsenic in various water samples from various districts of West Bengal . Howrah, South 24 Parganas, North 24 Parganas, and Kolkata were the chosen districts. The arsenic pollution, as well as the contamination of Cd, CN, Pb, Hg, Ni, Mo, Cr, Total suspended solid, Total hardness (CaCO3), pH, DO,BOD and COD levels, were all tested. The concentration in water containing arsenic samples varied from 0.22 to 1.92 mg/L, above the allowable level of arsenic, which is 0.01 mg/L in drinking water (according to WHO). According to our research, chronic poisoning from arsenic accounts for the majority of water pollution and poses a risk to the 3.5 million people and communities who use this untreated water directly or indirectly.