Groundwater Suitability Evaluation Using Entropy Weightage Quality Index (EWQI) Model and Human Health Cancer Risk Assessment of Heavy Metal in Eastern India

This study evaluated the groundwater using the Entropy Weightage Quality Index model (EWQI). Eighteen samples were taken from the different wellbores during premonsoon seasons in 2021. The present study is aimed at developing a comprehensive approach for groundwater quality assessment and associated health risk along with the cancer risk due to the presence of heavy metals. The water quality of Ranchi city was found to be better except in the western zone. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that arsenic (As) was the most influencing element that deteriorated the potability of water which supports our study. The study looked at cancer and noncancer health hazards connected with heavy metal music. The value of hazardous quotient (HQ) was observed to be relatively higher in As (HQ > 1) and Ni, followed by Mn > Fe > Zn > Cu. Also, the children were at higher risk than adults. The cancer risk associated with arsenic was investigated and found that the northern part and southeast-west (lapung block) of the study are at higher risk. Prolonged ingestion of As causes diseases like arsenicosis that leads to enhanced chances of cancer risk. This research provides an immense research database to assess the potability of drinking water in a similar city like Ranchi.