Abstract:
The present study is aimed to estimate the quality of drinking water and assessing its association with the increasing number of health issues in Karimabad, Hunza. A total of 30 Samples of drinking water were collected from different sampling sources (spring water and glacier water) in this rugged topography. The samples were analyzed for their Physico-chemical parameters such as pH, temperature, TDS, turbidity, EC, Fluoride, Lead, Cadmium, Chromium, and Arsenic. The Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer assessed the heavy metals concentration in drinking water. The data was processed in ArcMap software for the development of IDW interpolation Maps. For most of the physical parameters, the values reported were within the WHO and EPA prescribed limits, while some parameters showed higher values like turbidity. It was deduced from the study that the heavy metal (chromium, cadmium, and lead) concentration was very high as recommended for drinking water except for Arsenic. Therefore, the drinking water of the study area may be toxic and threatens human health. It can be concluded that different diseases like the spread of cancer among natives may be due to use of the contaminated water. It is therefore, strongly recommended that regular monitoring, assessment of Physicochemical and, microbiological testing of water in the vicinity of the study area is required for observing the dynamics of water quality. Government and Non-Government organizations must come forward to provide clean water to the natives of Karimabad-Hunza.
Page(s):
469-482
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: International Journal of Biology and Biotechnology, Volume: 19, Issue: 4, Year: 2022
Keywords:
Heavy metals
,
Cancer
,
Heavy metals
,
Glacier water
,
IDW interpolation
,
PhysicoChemical
,
Spring water