8/10/2019 High Level of Uranium Found in Punjab Water

1/2

High level of uranium found in Punjab waterIndia Water Review : July 9, 2012, 4:14 pm

Chandigarh : Punjab has emerged the only state in India to report presence of uranium in rural

drinking water on a widespread basis.

A recent batch of samples from various districts of the state sent to Mumbai-based Bhabha Atomic

Research Institute (BARC) has reportedly seen as much as 70 per cent testing positive for the

presence of the radioactive material.

It is well known that state has been hit by the scourge of water pollution, with studies showing that

levels of heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, chromium, selenium and mercury are generally

higher than permissible levels in drinking water.

But, the presence of uranium has emerged as a new challenge to the state Government. A recent

study conducted by the state's Health Department revealed that uranium content has been found to

be 50 per cent above the permissible World Health Organisation (WHO) limit in eight districts of the

state.

Earlier, only two districts, Faridkot and Ferozepur, had reported presence of uranium in water.

Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh, who visited the state to review rural water and sanitation

schemes, told reporters on July 7 that 2,462 samples were sent to BARC from Punjab and results of

1,642 have come out. "Of these, 1140 samples have tested positive for uranium", he said.

This is a new and serious concern. So far, improving water quality meant ridding it of arsenic orflouride content or salinity or heavy metals like mercury or lead. Now we must evolve a process to

remove uranium as well, he added.

Ramesh, who laid the foundation stone of the state's first laboratory to test drinking water for

contamination of radioactive uranium, said the facility would be run by an independent agency with

the help of Punjab University and BARC.

The Central Government would provide Punjab Rs 4 crore assistance for the project and the

laboratory, which will be set up in Mohali, near Chandigarh, is expected to be operational within eight

months.

The Minister said the state's waters contained arsenic content as well.

http://www.indiawaterreview.in/Story/News/high-level-of-uranium-found-in-punjab-water/785/1

8/10/2019 High Level of Uranium Found in Punjab Water

2/2

Arsenic is carcinogenic and has been found in the waters of Bihar, West Bengal and Assam, apart

from other states as well. In Punjab as well, it has been found in two settlements in Gurdaspur district.

There is high presence of flouride content in Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Jha rkhand, Ramesh

added.

"We need more scientific studies to understand the implications on health of people consuming this

uranium contaminated water. We need to know the source of uranium's presence which is very

unusual and inexplicable. As of now, we have only theories, we need to know the facts," the Minister

added.