The occurrence of uranium in groundwater can cause potential human health risks and public health safety concerns in any region of the world. The present study is an attempt to assess the presence of uranium in groundwater resources of Manipur valley in India covering 2,238 sq.km. and its probable chemical and radiological toxicity risk associated with human health. The analysis of samples for both premonsoon (PM) and postmonsoon (PoM) seasons shows that all 140 values lie well below the provisional guideline of 30 ppb as per the World Health Organization. The maximum concentrations of uranium were recorded as 10.93 and 10.89 ppb during PM and PoM, respectively. The average concentrations were found to be 0.44 ppb during PM and 0.71 ppb during PoM. Comparing the results from a radiological risk perspective described by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, India, the permissible maximum risk is 1.67×10-4. For the study, the cancer mortality risks were found to be 1.05×10-6 and 6.38×10-7, respectively, for PM and PoM. Similarly, the cancer morbidity risks are 1.60×10-6 and 9.76×10-7 for PM and PoM samples, respectively. Thus, it indicates that the likelihood of carcinogenic risks is insignificant for using groundwater samples for potable uses. Moreover, the groundwater samples show a hazard quotient lower than 1.0, signifying a very low risk from uranium's chemical toxicity. The calculated lifetime average daily dose ranged from 0 to 0.31μg/[kg.day] for PM and PoM groundwater samples. Thus, the present study highlights the spatial and temporal variability of uranium concentration in groundwater of the study area and probable human health risk associated with the continuous consumption of uranium-containing groundwater.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
AdithyaVS, ChidambaramS, KeesariT, et al.Occurrence of uranium in groundwater along the lithological contacts in Central Tamil Nadu, India: An Isotope Hydrogeochemical Perspective. Expos Health, 2017; 11:277; doi: 10.1007/s12403-017-0269-3
2.
AERB. Drinking Water Specifications in India. Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, Department of Atomic Energy (AERB): Mumbai, India; 2004.
3.
AlamW, GyanendraY, ChandaR, et al.Hydrogeochemical assessment and evaluation of groundwater quality in selected areas of Bishnupur District, Manipur. J Geol Soc India, 2020a;96:272; doi: 10.1007/s12594-020-1547-4
4.
AlamW, GyanendraY, ChandaR, et al.Hydrogeochemical assessment of groundwater arsenic and fluoride contamination in Thoubal district of Manipur, India. Erth Sci India, 2019; 12:38.
5.
AlamW, SinghSK, GyanendraY, et al.Hydrogeochemical assessment of groundwater quality for few habitations of Chandel District, Manipur (India). Appl Water Sci, 2020b;10:123; doi: 10.1007/s13201-020-01208-0
6.
AlamW, ZamminsionK, GyanendraY, et al.Geochemical and multivariate assessment of groundwater resources of Churachandpur sub-division of Manipur, India. Appl Water Sci, 2022; 12:111; doi: 10.1007/s13201-022-01638-y
7.
AliW, AslamWM, FengC, et al.Unraveling prevalence and public health risks of arsenic, uranium and co-occurring trace metals in groundwater along riverine ecosystem in Sindh and Punjab, Pakistan. Environ Geochem Health, 2019; 41:2223; doi: 10.1007/s10653-019-00278-7
8.
APHA. Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 21st Eds. American Public Health Association (APHA): Washington, DC; 2005.
9.
ATSDR. Toxicological Profile for Uranium. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ASTDR): Atlanta, GA, USA; 2013.
10.
BabuMN, SomashekarRK, KumarSA, et al.Concentration of uranium levels in groundwater. Int J Environ Sci Technol, 2008; 5:263; doi: 10.1007/bf03326020
11.
BajwaBS, KumarS, SinghS, et al.Uranium and other heavy toxic elements distribution in the drinking water samples of SW-Punjab, India. J Radiat Res Appl Sci, 2017; 10:13; doi: 10.1016/j.jrras.2015.01.002
12.
BatabyalAK, ChakrabortyS. Hydrogeochemistry and water quality index in the assessment of groundwater quality for drinking uses. Water Environ Res, 2015; 87:607; doi: 10.2175/106143015X14212658613956
13.
BIS. Indian Standard Drinking Water-Specification (Second Revision). Bureau of Indian Standards, IS 10500:2012: New Delhi, India; 2012.
14.
BombenAM, EquillorHE, and OliveiraAA. Ra-226 and natural uranium in Argentina bottled mineral waters. Radiat Prot Dosim, 1996; 67:221; doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.rpd.a031820
15.
Bou-RabeeF. Estimating the concentration of uranium in some environmental samples in Kuwait after the 1991 Gulf War. Appl Radiat Isot, 1995; 46:217; doi: 10.1016/0969-8043(94)00122-g
16.
BrownA, SteenfeltA, KunzendorfH. Uranium districts defined by reconnaissance geochemistry in South Greenland. J Econ Geol Exploration, 1984; 19(1-3):127-145; doi: 10.1016/b978-0-444-42268-2.50015-1
17.
ByjuSB, SunilA, ReebaMJ, et al. Uranium in drinking water from the south coast districts of Kerala, India. Iran J Radiat Res, 2012; 10:31-36.
18.
CanuIG, LaurentO, PiresN, et al.Health effects of naturally radioactive water ingestion: the need for enhanced studies. Environ Health Perspect, 2011; 119:1676; doi: 10.1289/ehp.1003224
19.
Census. District Census Handbook, Manipur, Census of India, Series 15, Part XII-B. Directorate of Census Operation, Government of Manipur; 2011.
20.
CGWB. Technical Report Series: D Ground Water Information Booklet Imphal West District, Manipur. Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), North Eastern Region Ministry of Water Resources Guwahati, Government of India; 2013.
21.
CothernRC, LappenbuschWL. Occurrence of uranium in drinking water in the U.S. Health Phys, 1983; 45:89-99; doi: 10.1097/00004032-198307000-00009
22.
CWC. Water and Related Statistics, Central Water Commission, Water Resources Information System Directorate, Ministry of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Government of India: New Delhi; 2015.
23.
DasA, DasSS, ChowdhuryNR, et al.Quality and health risk evaluation for groundwater in Nadia District, West Bengal: An approach on its suitability for drinking and domestic purpose. Groundw Sustain Dev, 2020; 10:100351; doi: 10.1016/j.gsd.2020.100351
24.
DreverJJ.The Geochemistry of Natural Water, 3rd Ed. Prentice-Hall: Upper Saddle River, NJ, 1997; p. 338.
25.
DuggalV. Age-dependent dose assessment of uranium intake from bottled water in Punjab State, India. Water Supply, 2020; 20:2794; doi: 10.2166/ws.2020.174
26.
DuggalV, SharmaV. Chemotoxicity and Radiotoxicity Risk Assessment from Exposure to Uranium in Groundwater from Western Haryana, India Distribution of Uranium Concentration in Groundwater. Int J Pure App Phy, 2017; 13:107.
27.
DuggalV, SharmaS, SinghA. Toxicological risk and age-dependent radiation dose assessment of uranium in drinking water in southwest-central districts of Haryana State, India. Groundw Sustain Dev, 2021; 13:100577; doi: 10.1016/j.gsd.2021.100577
28.
DuggalV, RaniA. Carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk assessment of metals in groundwater via ingestion and dermal absorption pathways for children and adults in Malwa region of Punjab. J Geol Soc India, 2018; 92:187; doi: 10.1007/s12594-018-0980-0
29.
DuggalV, RaniA, MehraRK, et al.Assessment of age-dependent radiation dose and toxicity risk due to intake of uranium through the ingestion of groundwater from northern Rajasthan, India. Toxicol Environ Chem, 2017a;99:516; doi: 10.1080/02772248.2016.1196210
30.
DuggalV, SharmaS, MehraR. Risk assessment of radon in drinking water in Khetri Copper Belt of Rajasthan, India. Chemosphere, 2020a;239:124782; doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.124782
31.
DuggalV, SharmaS, SinghA. Risk assessment of uranium in drinking water in Hisar district of Haryana, India. Water Supply, 2020b;21:249; doi: 10.2166/ws.2020.313
32.
DuggalV, SharmaS, SainiK, et al.Assessment of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk from exposure to uranium in groundwater from western Haryana, India. J Geol Soc India, 2017b;89:663; doi: 10.1007/s12594-017-0675-y
33.
EFSA. Uranium in Foodstuffs, in Particular Mineral Water. Scientific Opinion of the Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain. European Food Safety Authority. EFSA J, 2009; 1018:1.
34.
EPHRS. Environmental Public Health (Quality of Piped Drinking Water) Regulations (EPHRS). Environmental Public Health Act: Singapore; 2008.
35.
EUCD. Directive (EU) 2020/2184 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2020 on the quality of water intended for human consumption (recast). Official Journal of the European Union. European Union Council Directives; 2020.
36.
FrisbieSH, MitchellEJ, MasteraLJ, et al.2009). Public health strategies for western Bangladesh that address arsenic, manganese, uranium, and other toxic elements in drinking water. Environ Health Perspect, 2009; 117:10; doi: 10.1289/ehp.11886
37.
GedeonR, AmroH, JawawdehJ, et al. Natural radioisotopes in groundwaters from the Amman-Zarka basin, Jordan: Hydrochemical and regulatory implications. App. of tracers in Arid Zone Hydrol, 1995; 232:81-97.
38.
GibbsRJ. Mechanism controlling world water chemistry. Science, 1970; 17:1088.
39.
Health Canada. Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality-Summary Table. Water and Air Quality Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch. Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada; 2019.
40.
ICRP. Age-dependent doses to members of the public from intake of radionuclides: Part 3, Ingestion dose coefficients. International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP), Publication 69. Annuals ICRP 25(1). Elsevier Science Ltd: Oxford, UK; 1995.
41.
JiY, WuJ, WangY, et al.Seasonal variation of drinking water quality and human health risk assessment in Hancheng City of Guanzhong plain, China. Expos Health, 2020; 12:469; doi: 10.1007/s12403-020-00357-6
42.
JMOCDWQS. Japan Ministerial Ordinance Concerning Drinking-water Quality Standards. Government of Japan; 2010.
43.
KadamA, WaghV, JacobsJ, et al.Integrated approach for the evaluation of groundwater quality through hydrogeochemistry and human health risk from Shivganga river basin, Pune, Maharashtra, India. Environ Sci Pollut Res, 2022; 29:4311; doi: 10.1007/s11356-021-15554-2
44.
KaleA, BandelaN, KulkarniJ. Assessment of chemo-radiological risk of naturally occurred uranium in groundwater from the Beed District, India. J Radioanal Nucl, 2019; 323:151; doi: 10.1007/s10967-019-06849-3
45.
KeithS, FaroonO, RoneyN, et al. (2020). Toxicological Profile for Uranium. Atlanta (GA): Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (US); 2013 Feb. 3, Health Effects, Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK158798/ [Last accessed: September 15, 2022].
46.
KhanA, AhmadS, KhurshidS. Geology and geomorphology of the Manipur Valley using digitally enhanced satellite image and SRTM DEM in the Eastern Himalaya, India. Int J Geosci, 2012; 03:1010; doi: 10.4236/ijg.2012.325101
47.
KumarA, RoutS, NarayananU, et al.Geochemical modeling of uranium speciation in the subsurface aquatic environment of Punjab State in India. J Geol Min Res, 2016; 3:137.
48.
KumarD, SinghA, JhaRK. Spatial distribution of uranium and basic water quality parameter in the capital of Bihar and consequent ingestion dose. Environ Sci Pollut Res, 2018; 25:17901; doi: 10.1007/s11356-018-1922-5
49.
KumarD, SinghA, KumarP, et al.Sobol sensitivity analysis for risk assessment of uranium in groundwater. Environ Geochem Health, 2020; 42:1789; doi: 10.1007/s10653-020-00522-5
50.
LandstetterC, KatzlbergerC. Determination of 3H, 226RA, 222RN and 238U in Austrian ground- and drinking water. J Radioanal Nucl Chem, 2009; 282:467; doi: 10.1007/s10967-009-0178-4
51.
LiP, HeX, GuoW. Spatial groundwater quality and potential health risks due to nitrate ingestion through drinking water: A case study in yan'an city on the Loess Plateau of northwest china. Hum Eco Risk Assess Int J, 2019; 25(1-2):11; doi: 10.1080/10807039.2018.1553612
52.
LiuL, WuJ, HeS, et al.Occurrence and distribution of groundwater fluoride and manganese in the Weining Plain (China) and their probabilistic health risk quantification. Expos Health, 2021; 14:263; doi: 10.1007/s12403-021-00434-4
53.
MHM. National Standard for Drinking Water Quality. Engineering Services Division. Ministry of Health: Malaysia; 2004.
54.
MHNZ. Drinking-water Standards for New Zealand 2005 (Revised 2008). Ministry of Health New Zealand: Wellington, New Zealand; 2008.
55.
MSAPCC. Manipur State Action Plan for Climate Change. Directorate of Environment, Government of Manipur: India; 2013.
56.
MASTEC. Manipur Science and Technology Council, Government of Manipur, India. 2022. Available from: https://mastec.nic.in/geography.html [Last accessed: October 27, 2022).
57.
MSLP. Reglamento de la Calidaddel Agua Para Consumo Humano, DS N 031-2010-SA. Ministerio de Salud, Lima-Perú Dirección General de Salud Ambiental: Lima, Perú; 2011.
58.
NHMRC. Australian Drinking Water Guidelines Paper 6 National Water Quality Management Strategy. National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). National Resource Management Ministerial Council, Commonwealth of Australia: Canberra, Australia; 2011.
59.
NIOSH. Uranium. NIOSH pocket guide to chemical hazards. AtlantaGA: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2012. Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/[Last accessed: June 15, 2012].
60.
OMEE. Monitoring data for uranium1990-1995. Ontario Drinking Water Surveillance Program. Ontario Ministry of Environment and Energy: Toronto, Ontario; 1996.
61.
OrtegaX, VallésI, SerranoI. Natural radioactivity in drinking water in Catalonia (Spain). Environ Int, 1996; 22:347; doi: 10.1016/s0160-4120(96)00129-8
62.
OS. Omani Standard Un Bottled Drinking-Water, OS 8/2012. 2012.
63.
PatraAC, MohapatraS, SahooSK, et al.Age-dependent dose and health risk due to intake of uranium in drinking water from Jaduguda, India. Radiat Prot Dosim, 2013; 155:210; doi: 10.1093/rpd/ncs328
64.
PHED. Groundwater Database. Public health Engineering Department, Government of Manipur: Manipur; 2016.
65.
PiperAM. (1944) A Graphic procedure in the chemical interpretations of water analysis. Am Geophy Trans, 1994; 25:914.
66.
PMKRI. Peraturan Menteri Kesehatan Republik Indonesia, NOMOR492/MENKES/PER/IV/2010. 2010.
67.
PrasadM, KumarGA, SahooSK, et al.Health risks associated with the exposure to uranium and heavy metals through potable groundwater in Uttarakhand State of India. J Radioanal Nucl Chem, 2019; 319:13; doi: 10.1007/s10967-018-6281-7
68.
PratO, VercouterT, AnsoborloE, et al.Uranium speciation in drinking water from drilled wells in Southern Finland and its potential links to health effects. Environ Sci Technol, 2009; 43:3941; doi: 10.1021/es803658e
69.
PrustyP, FarooqSH, ZimikHV. et al. Assessment of the factors controlling groundwater quality in a coastal aquifer adjacent to the Bay of Bengal, India. Environ Erth Sci, 2018; 77:762; doi: 10.1007/s12665-018-7943-z
70.
RaghavendraT, SrilathaK, MahenderC, et al.Distribution of uranium concentration in groundwater samples from the Peddagattu/Nambapur and Seripally regions using laser fluorimetry. Radiat Prot Dosim, 2014; 158:325; doi: 10.1093/rpd/nct228
71.
RaniA, SinghS, DuggalV, et al.Uranium estimation in drinking water samples from some areas of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, India using ICP-MS. Radiat Prot Dosim, 2013b;157:146; doi: 10.1093/rpd/nct112
72.
RaniA, MehraR, DuggalV, et al.Analysis of uranium concentration in drinking water samples using ICPMS. Health Phys, 2013a;104:251; doi: 10.1097/hp.0b013e318279ba05
73.
SahooSK, MohapatraS, ChakrabartyA, et al.Determination of uranium at Ultra Trace level in packaged drinking water by laser fluorimeter and consequent ingestion dose. Radioprotection, 2010; 45:55; doi: 10.1051/radiopro/2009030
74.
SahuSK, MaityS, BhangareRC, et al. Determination of Uranium in Ground Water Using Different Analytical Techniques. Government of India Atomic Energy Commission, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre: Mumbai, BARC/2014/E/011; 2014; pp.1-30.
75.
SaikiaR, ChetiaD, BhattacharyyaKG. Estimation of uranium in groundwater and assessment of age-dependent radiation dose in Nalbari district of Assam, India. SN Appl Sci, 2021; 3:1; doi: 10.1007/s42452-020-04071-5
76.
SainiK, DuggalV, BajwaB. Assessment of radiation dose due to intake of uranium through groundwater and its carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks in southwest and northeast Punjab, India. Indoor Built Environ, 2018; 27:983; doi: 10.1177/1420326X17699978
77.
SANS. South African National Standard, Drinking-Water, SANS241: 2011.
78.
SharmaN, SinghJ. Radiological and chemical risk assessment due to high uranium contents observed in the ground waters of Mansa District (Malwa Region) of Punjab State, India: An area of high cancer incidence. Expos Health, 2016; 8:513; doi: 10.1007/s12403-016-0215-9
79.
SharmaT, SharmaA, KaurI, et al.Uranium distribution in groundwater and assessment of age dependent radiation dose in Amritsar, Gurdaspur and Pathankot districts of Punjab, India. Chemosphere, 2019; 219:607; doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.12.039
80.
ShinW, OhJ, ChoungS, et al.Distribution and potential health risk of groundwater uranium in Korea. Chemosphere, 2016; 163:108; doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.08.021
81.
SinghS, RaniA, MahajanRK, et al.Analysis of uranium and its correlation with some physico-chemical properties of drinking water samples from Amritsar, Punjab. J Environ Monit, 2003; 5:917; doi: 10.1039/b309493f
82.
SoibamI, SinghPM. Analysis of drainage systems of Manipur and implications on the tectonics of the Indo-Myanmar Ranges. Himalaya (Geological Aspects), 2006; 4:281.
83.
TRF. State Sanitary and Epidemiological Rules and Regulations, the Most Acceptable Concentrations (MAC) Chemicals in Water Aquatic Facilities Casting and Cultural Household Water Use Hygiene Standards. The Russian Federation, Ministry of Health of Russia: Moscow, Russia; 2003.
84.
UNSCEAR. United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effect of Atomic Radiation United Nations General Assembly. Vol. 1, Annex B, United Nations 84-140; 2000.
85.
UNSCEAR. Sources, Effects and Risks of Ionizing Radiation. United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR): New York, United Nations; 2008.
86.
USDHS. Toxicological Profile for Uranium U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Division of Toxicology and Human Health Sciences Environmental Toxicology Branch: Atlanta, Georgia; 2013.
87.
USEPA. Cancer Risk Coefficients for Environmental Exposure to Radionuclides. Federal Guidance Report No. 13. United States Environmental Protection Agency, EPA 402-R-99-001: Washington, DC, USA; 1999.
88.
USEPA. National Primary Drinking Water Regulations; Radionuclides; Final Rule. United States Environmental Protection Agency: Washington, DC, USA; 2000.
89.
USEPA. Edition of the Drinking Water Standards and Health Advisories. United States Environmental Protection Agency, EPA 820-R-11-002, Office of Water: Washington, DC, USA; 2011.
VermaA, SharmaLM, PahujaG, et al., Modified biosand filter for provisioning of potable water to rural households affected by chronic arsenic pollution in Groundwater. Environ Eng Sci, 2021; 38(11):1036-1051; doi: 10.1089/ees.2020.0290
94.
WaghVM, PanaskarDB, MukateSV, et al.Nitrate associated health risks from groundwater of Kadava River Basin Nashik, Maharashtra, India. Hum Ecol Risk Assess Int J, 2019; 26:654; doi: 10.1080/10807039.2018.1528861
95.
WaghV, MukateS, MuleyA, et al.Study of groundwater contamination and drinking suitability in basaltic terrain of Maharashtra, India through PIG and multivariate statistical techniques. J Water Sup Res Techn Aqua, 2020; 69:398; doi: 10.2166/aqua.2020.108
96.
WaghVM, PanaskarDB, MukateSV, et al.Health risk assessment of heavy metal contamination in groundwater of Kadava River Basin, Nashik, India. Model Earth Syst Environ, 2018; 4:969; doi: 10.1007/s40808-018-0496-z
97.
WangL, LiP, DuanR, et al.Occurrence, controlling factors and health risks of CR6+ in groundwater in the Guanzhong Basin of China. Expos Health, 2021; 14:239; doi: 10.1007/s12403-021-00410-y
98.
WHO. Guidelines for Drinking-Water Quality, 4th Edn. World Health Organization: Geneva, Switzerland; 2011.
99.
WHO. Uranium in drinking water, background document for development of WHO guideline for drinking-water quality. World Health Organization: Geneva, Switzerland; 2012.
100.
ZamoraML, ZielinskiJM, MoodieGB, et al.Uranium in drinking water: Renal effects of long-term ingestion by an Aboriginal community. Arch Environ Occup Health, 2009; 64:228; doi: 10.1080/19338240903241267
Supplementary Material
Please find the following supplemental material available below.
For Open Access articles published under a Creative Commons License, all supplemental material carries the same license as the article it is associated with.
For non-Open Access articles published, all supplemental material carries a non-exclusive license, and permission requests for re-use of supplemental material or any part of supplemental material shall be sent directly to the copyright owner as specified in the copyright notice associated with the article.
