ARSENIC LEVELS IN DRINKING WATER AND ASSOCIATED HEALTH RISK IN DISTRICT SHEIKHUPURA, PAKISTAN

Arsenic (As) contaminated drinking water poses serious threat to human health. It accumulates in the human body in various organs, hence cause acute and chronic health problems. This study aimed at monitoring the drinking water quality in terms of arsenic concentration as well its health impacts on female population of District Sheikhupura, Punjab. For the health assessment of females, health demographic data as well as dietary habits of the respondents of the study area was collected through a questionnaire. The concentration of Arsenic in drinking water from different sources used by the inhabitants was measured by using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Arsenic concentration in drinking water samples was high in the hand pump water. The Tehsil Sheikhupura was among the worst affected study area. The results suggest that the level of arsenic in drinking water in certain parts of district Sheikhupura is higher than the permissible limits of WHO and NDWQS. Hence mitigation and preventive measures are required to reduce possible threat to human and ecological health.