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Abstract:

Arsenic is a carcinogenic factor that threatens the health of millions across the globe. About 80% of Pakistan’s entire population has no access to safe drinking water. As has been reported in many areas of Punjab province and people have been suffering from many diseases in rural areas of Punjab. To detect the presence of As in drinking water as well as to determine the physical parameters that are pH, total dissolved solid and electrical conductivity of drinking water. In this study, 369 samples of drinking water were randomly collected from Manga Mandi and analyzed. Levels of As was measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy. About 66% of drinking water samples showed As concentration above the WHO drinking water guidelines. Only 34% of samples were found within the WHO standards. Among physical parameters electrical conductivity was found to exceed the permissible limit. It is concluded that people of Manga Mandi use untreated ground water for drinking purposes that may be contaminated from anthropogenic sources, agricultural and industrial wastes. Installation of filtration plants and regular monitoring of water is recommended to improve the quality to reduce the risks of life threatening diseases.