Concentration of Uranium in Groundwater and its Health Effects around the Indira Gandhi Super Thermal Power Project in Jharli, Haryana, India

Abstract

Contamination of uranium in ground water is topic of concern now a days across the world as the ground water is the primary source in rural and urban parts of India. Burning coal in thermal power projects is one of the several actions that might discharge uranium into the environment. These efforts unintentionally raised the Technically Enhanced Natural Radioactivity (TENR) levels of natural radionuclides and their radiation levels in the surroundings. The most significant sources of electricity produced are thermal power projects. But the environmental effects of these industrial operations cause questions.  This study examines the uranium concentration in groundwater around the Power Plant and its health effects on nearby populations. High uranium content in drinking water can seriously compromise your health. This is so because uranium is radioactive and can cause nephrotoxicity and higher cancer risk. Groundwater samples were gathered and examined within a 0 to 4 kilometer range from many locations surrounding the water plant.  Finding the degree of Uranium contamination is the aim of the project and LED fluorimetery technique is used. In terms of radiation and chemistry as well, uranium is a well-known dangerous element. The USEPA labeled uranium a carcinogen in 1991 and urged that drinking water should contain no uranium.  With an average of 47.59 µg/L, the uranium content ranged from 2.64 to 201.9 µg/L. Average of 1.18 Bq/L, the activity concentration (Ac) ranged from 0.06 to 5.07 Bq/L. The average LADD range of 0.05/4.00 µg/kg/day was observed.  The findings of this study helps in assessing public health and radiological risks and mainly asseses water quality with major implications towards environmental health. The study helps in evaluation of contamination risks including health risks like kidney damage and cancer.