Groundwater and blood samples assessment for arsenic toxicity in rural population of Darbhanga district of Bihar, India

摘要

Arsenic poisoning through consumption of ground water is global problem. India is one of the most affected country exposed to arsenic poisoning, where more than 100 million people are at risk. Investigation by Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) of India has confirmed arsenic contaminated groundwater in 86 districts of 10 Indian states. Bihar is the second most groundwater arsenic contaminated state in India. Assessment of groundwater arsenic contamination and associated health-risks in the four villages of Darbhanga districts Bihar, India was undertaken. Paghari and Habidih-East are the two villages under Baheri block and Parri and Bairampur are the two villages under Biraul block of Darbhanga district. Results revealed that maximum contamination of arsenic in the groundwater was found to be 911 μg/L in Paghari village of Baheri block. Strong correlation was observed between elevated level of arsenic in the groundwater and elevated level of arsenic in the blood samples.