Estimation of Arsenic Contamination in the Groundwaters of the Ballia District: A Comprehensive Survey

Arsenic toxicity in drinking water is a major health concern worldwide as well as in India, as it is reported to cause several diseases like hyperkeratosis, skin cancers, changes in pigmentation, and cancers of the liver and kidney. The level of arsenic in the groundwaters of several regions of India is quite higher than the maximum permissible limit of 10 ppb (WHO, 1993). The objective of the present study is to survey the level of arsenic in the Ballia district. Arsenic levels in groundwater from 115 different locations were estimated by atomic absorption spectrophotometer as well as field test kit. Our data showed the arsenic concentrations in groundwater samples to vary from 0-150 ppb with an average value of 22.54 ppb. Mean arsenic levels in the groundwater sample from depths of ≤80 feet and >80 feet were ˜33 ppb and ˜4 ppb, respectively. Arsenic contamination in 40% of the groundwater samples was > 10 ppb, while 60% had arsenic levels below 10 ppb. The Bairiya, Bansdih, and Ballia Sadar tahsils were highly contaminated (> 40 ppb), while Belthera Road, Rasra, and Sikandarpur were less contaminated (< 10 ppb).