Correlation Studies of Arsenic Level In Drinking Water and Blood Samples of Females in District Sheikhupura, Pakistan

Abstract

Arsenic contamination of drinking water has become a major health concern all over the world. Pakistan is also facing an arsenic contamination in drinking water. The present study determine the correlation of arsenic level in drinking water and blood sample of females of District Sheikhupura, Pakistan. The study area for the present research work is District Sheikhupura, which is an industrial as well as an agricultural city in the province of Punjab, Pakistan. The arsenic concentration in drinking water from different sources used by the inhabitants and blood samples of females was measured by using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The drinking water of tehsils Sheikhupura and Sharaqpur had higher arsenic as compared to other tehsils (64.25 ± 2.55 μg L-1 and 61.63 ± 2.73 μg L-1) respectively, and was highest in all hands pumping water (71.14 ± 2.6μg L-1). Mean arsenic concentration in blood samples was highest in the age group of 23-25 years (3.2 ± 0.23 μg L-1) and being highest among respondents of tehsil Sheikhupura. A positive correlation between drinking water and blood samples when analyzed with respect to area and drinking water sources was found. Evidences suggest that the presence of arsenic in drinking water is likely to affect general metabolism and its accumulation in human. This appears to be linked with exposure of varying magnitude and duration.