IIT Mandi researchers raises alarm, reveal Himachal Pradesh town has 'cancer-causing' groundwater

A recent report by IIT Mandi researchers revealed that the groundwater in Himachal Pradesh's Baddi Barotiwala area has cancer-causing agents. The report reveals that the groundwater has caused many cases of cancer and renal diseases between 2013 and 2018. Researchers emphasised monitoring industrial effluents for zinc, lead, nickel, and chromium.

IIT Mandi report warns of toxins in groundwater in Himachal Pradesh

According to the report by IIT Mandi, "In India, groundwater is heavily used for agriculture and domestic consumption. However, rapid urbanization, industrialization, and population growth have led to increased groundwater use and a decline in its quality. Northern India has faced severe water quality issues. Similar issues are evident in the Himachal Pradesh’s BB industrial area, where industrialization has contaminated groundwater with toxic metals, exceeding permissible limits. The reliance on untreated groundwater has caused numerous health problems, including significant reports of cancer and renal disease between 2013 and 2018."

The study was published in the journal Science of the Total Environment. It noted that the region's groundwater contains calcium carbonate with uniform uranium levels. Most of the metal contaminants were traced to industrial sources. The researchers pinpointed the primary metals of concern and created geospatial maps that display metal contamination and associated health risks across village boundaries.

The human health risk assessment indicated significant non-carcinogenic risks for both adults and children, primarily due to natural uranium, with additional risks from industrial sources of zinc, lead, cobalt, and barium. Carcinogenic risks were notably high for adults, mainly due to industrial nickel and chromium.

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