Assessment of the groundwater quality by using multivariate approach and non-carcinogenic risk of uranium in the inhabitants of the Bastar district, Chhattisgarh, Central India

The elevated levels of uranium found in 17 states of India is alarming due to the radionuclide contamination in groundwater. Chronic ingestion can cause potential harm to humans and living things such as damage to kidneys, and cancer of the liver, lungs, and bones. The present study was undertaken to assess groundwater quality using a multivariate approach to the non-carcinogenic exposure of uranium by residents of the Bastar district, Chhattisgarh. The concentration of uranium in groundwater samples ranged from 0.50–26.4 μg/l in 70 samples, with 82% of samples being beyond the recommended limits by the International Commission on Radiological Protection. Hierarchical cluster analysis divided all sampling locations into 10 clusters explaining the similarity of geological conditions. Factor analysis extracted four principal components or factors with 70.20% cumulative variance from the entire data set. Chronic daily intake has been found above from the reference dose as 34.29, 42.86, and 51.43% for young children, children and adults. The results of hazard quotient analysis classified the degree of non-carcinogenic risk which was >1 in 34.28, 45.71, and 41.43% for the samples from young children, children and adults, respectively. This study will generate baseline data and suggest the need for revision of water quality monitoring plans and preventive water management practices.