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Prevalence of arsenic exposure in population of Ballia district from drinking water and its correlation with blood arsenic level.

An investigation was carried out to ascertain the effect of arsenic in the blocks of Ballia district in Uttar Pradesh in the upper and middle Ganga plain, India. Analysis of 100 drinking water samples revealed that arsenic concentration was below 10 μg l⁻¹ in 60% samples, 10-50 μg l⁻¹ in 6%, 100 μg l⁻¹ in 24% and 200 μg l⁻¹ in 10% samples, respectively. The arsenic concentration in drinking water ranged from 12.8 to 132.2 μg l⁻¹. The depth of source of drinking water (10-60 m) was also found with a mean of 36.12 ± 13.61 μg l⁻¹ arsenic concentration. Observations revealed that at depth ranging from 10 to 20 m, the mean level of arsenic concentration was 17.398 ± 21.796 μg l⁻¹, while at 21 to 40 m depth As level was 39.685 ± 40.832 μg l⁻¹ and at 41 to 60 m As level was 46.89 ± 52.80 μg l⁻¹, respectively. These observations revealed a significant positive correlation (r = 0.716, t = 4.215, P < 0.05) between depth and arsenic concentration in drinking water. The age of water sources were ranged from zero to 30 years. The study indicates that the older sources of drinking water showed higher chance of contamination. Results showed that group 21-30 years having maximum arsenic concentration with mean value of 52.57 ± 53.79 μg l⁻¹. Correlation analysis also showed a significant positive correlation (r = 0.801, t = 5.66, P < 0.05) between age of drinking water sources and their respective arsenic concentration (μg l⁻¹). Arsenic concentration in blood with mean value 0.226 ± 0.177 μg dl⁻¹ significantly increased as compared to control. The blood arsenic content correlated significantly (r = 0.6823, t = 3.93, P < 0.05) with drinking water arsenic level and exposure time (r = 0.545, t = 3.101 & *P < 0.05) for populations residing in Ballia districts. Observations and correlation analysis revealed that individuals having depth of drinking water sources 20-30 m were less affected with arsenic exposure.