The people of southwest Punjab are still using the water for drinking and other purposes, which are contaminated with dangerous chemicals and the people in that parts can be found with health hazards and cancer also.

Four scientists of Centre of Advanced Study in Geology of Punjab University have been conducting research on the chemical quality of groundwater in southwest Punjab since 2000.

The team comprised of Prof Naresh Kochhar, Prof N.K.Tuli, Prof G.S. Gill and Prof Veena Dadwal.

These scientists have been working on the chemical quality of groundwater in parts of southwest Punjab in relation to the incidents of cancer and other health hazards since 2000. They have done a detailed investigation on the chemical quality of water and soil.

In their investigation, they found that higher contents like fluoride, nitrate, sulphate, sodium, potassium and uranium have been found in the water samples of southwest parts of Punjab.

The uranium concentration in the sample studied varied from .007 to .316 parts per million (ppm). All the samples have higher uranium than the permissible limit.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, the uranium concentration for drinking water should not be more than 2 parts per billion (ppb) and the samples have much more concentration.

According to the study certain granites, alum shales and pegmatites have elevated uranium contents.

The bedrock in present area consists Of high heat producing granites and acid vocalic that have high concentration of uranium.

The general public ingestion of soluble uranium compounds should not exceed the tolerable intake of 0.5 mg/kg of body weight per day. However, in case of insoluble compounds, a tolerable intake is 5 mg/kg of body weight per day (Rao, 2003).

Talking to Hindustan Times, Prof Naresh Kochhar said, “We have been carrying research ill this sphere since long time and the uranium concentration in the water is a serious problem in the parts of southwest Punjab. Moreover, it may lead to serious health problems in future also.

Revealing about the geological sources of uranium in the water, Prof Kochhar said, “The uranium’ comes from Ar­ avali-Delhi ridge which passes from Toshan and takes a northwesterly direction frQm there and in southwest Punja it becomes under round and that’s why the area is rich in uranium.”

Prof N.K. Tuli told another source that in Bhatinda there are many thermal plants and the ashes from these plants also lead to uranium concentration. Prof G.8. Gill told that uranium also comes from the soil which comes through Satluj river and uranium also comes in that soil which comes through the water.

These scientists are unhappy·with the Punjab Government. They suspect that the state government is hostile to their research as are denied TA, DA allowance. When they travel, they have to bear the entire cost from their own pocl~
ets.

Prof Veen Dadwal said,”it very difficult to carry the research because w have to travel a lot and its not a one- day job.We do not get favourale response from the Punjb Govenment.”

These scientist had alo submitted their report to Punjab state Council of Science and Technology in 2006 and vn in 2007, but they said that th respose was disappointing.

They even had to send their sample to laboretory of Hyderabad as they claim tht the govenment has no laboratory in the state.

They also regret that the authorities do not consult geologist in case of water problems.