Assessing groundwater fluoride contamination scenario in West Bengal, India: A combined approach using meta-analysis, current research, and health risk evaluation

De, Ayan; Ghosh, Swetanjana; Dey, Archita; Islam, Kazi Hamidul; Maji, Krishnendu; Mandal, Jajati; Das, Bilash Chandra; Roychowdhury, Tarit

Abstract

The present study was initiated by the findings of a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis, which synthesized all available literature on the patterns and trends of groundwater fluoride (F−) contamination in West Bengal, India. This investigation aimed to provide detailed information on F− contamination at the block level within the state, which is essential for effective monitoring and alleviation efforts addressing the acute and evolving human health concerns in affected areas. This study focuses on the six districts (South 24 Parganas, West Medinipur, Jhargram, East Bardhaman, West Bardhaman and Murshidabad) of West Bengal. Findings from more than 3000 datasets revealed that approximately 10%, 11%, 4%, and 14% of groundwater samples exceeded the safe limit of F− (1.5mgL−1) from South 24 Parganas, Jhargram, West Bardhaman, and Murshidabad district, respectively. Notably 3% of samples from West Bardhaman displayed class V toxicity where F− concentrations exceeding >10mgL−1. This research introduces an initial assessment of F− concentrations in groundwater from nine newly identified F− contaminated blocks (Baruipur, Sonarpur, Binpur II, Salanpur, Baraboni, Jamuriya, Pandabeswar, Kandi and Khargram) within the region. Overall, 65 blocks from ten districts have been recognized as F− contaminated zones in West Bengal till 2023. The non-cancerous health risk was found to be disproportionately higher in the western districts (Jhargram, West Bardhaman, and western part of Murshidabad) compared to their southeastern counterparts (East Bardhaman, Paschim Medinipur, and South 24 Parganas). A demographic analysis of health risk indicated infants as the most susceptible group to F− toxicity. The probabilistic health risk at P95 dose for eight blocks further corroborated the heightened vulnerability of infants. These insights offer critical implications for the policy-makers, suggesting an urgent need for tailored health policies to mitigate the risk associated with F− contamination in West Bengal.

Citation

De, A., Ghosh, S., Dey, A., Islam, K. H., Maji, K., Mandal, J., …Roychowdhury, T. (2024). Assessing groundwater fluoride contamination scenario in West Bengal, India: A combined approach using meta-analysis, current research, and health risk evaluation. Groundwater for Sustainable Development, 26, 101286. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gsd.2024.101286

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 17, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Jul 28, 2024
• Publication Date: 2024-08
• Deposit Date: Jul 29, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 29, 2026
• Journal: Groundwater for Sustainable Development
• Print ISSN: 2352-801X
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 26
• Article Number: 101286
• Pages: 101286
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gsd.2024.101286