Uranium Contamination in Punjab: Environmental and Health Implications
Uranium, a naturally occurring heavy element, is widely distributed in the earth’s crust, including rocks, soil, and water. Its concentration in soils typically ranges from 300 μg/kg to 11.7 mg/kg, with higher levels occurring in specific geological formations such as granite and certain oceanic sediments. Uranium exists primarily in three isotopic forms—U-234 (0.0055%), U-235 (0.72%), and U-238 (99.27%)—and exhibits relatively low radioactivity in its natural state. Despite its ubiquity, excessive exposure to uranium poses significant chemical and radiological health risks. The primary chemical effect of uranium exposure is nephrotoxicity, as uranium accumulates in the kidneys during filtration from the bloodstream, potentially leading to kidney damage or failure at high doses. Uranium is also classified as a carcinogen, mutagen, teratogen, and neurotoxin, with the potential to cause cancer, birth defects, and cognitive impairments.
The Malwa region of Punjab has been identified as a high-risk zone for uranium contamination. The issue first gained attention in 2009 when tests on hair and urine samples of children from Faridkot revealed that 88% had uranium concentrations exceeding safe limits, with some cases recording levels more than sixty times the permissible threshold. Subsequent studies consistently reported elevated uranium levels among both children and cancer patients, correlating with higher disease prevalence. An investigation by Pandeep Singh et al. found average uranium concentrations of 96.4 μg/L in Mansa, 69.3 μg/L in Bathinda, and 87.8 μg/L in Faridkot, with maximum values reaching 645.2 μg/L—far exceeding the safety limits prescribed by the WHO, US EPA, and the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB).
On Nov 27, 2025, one of the leading Indian dailies - The Times of India - published a report titled - 62.5% Punjab’s groundwater contaminated with uranium.According to the annual groundwater report published by the Central Groundwater Board (CGWB), under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Punjab and Haryana rank among the states most severely impacted by various pollutants, including heavy metals and extensive agricultural runoff.
The issue was raised by the Rajya Sabha member Satnam Singh Sandhu in the Parliament. According to the report in The Tribune he described the situation as a “public health emergency,” noting that uranium levels in more than half of the samples exceed 30 ppb (parts per billion), contributing to cancer and kidney diseases among future generations. Additionally, he highlighted that excess nitrate in 14.6% of samples and fluoride in 11% of samples are putting children at risk of Blue Baby Syndrome and bone disorders. Stressing the threat to agriculture, Sandhu further warned that residual sodium carbonate and rising salinity in 25% of samples are rendering fertile land barren. He urged the Central Government to launch a ‘Special Groundwater Mitigation Mission’ to address this crisis.
Recent data underscores the gravity of the problem: in 2024, 32% of groundwater samples were contaminated, a figure that rose sharply to 62.5% in 2025. The report identifies 16 of Punjab’s 23 districts as contaminated zones, including Tarn Taran, Patiala, Sangrur, Moga, Mansa, Barnala, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Ferozepur, Fazilka, Fatehgarh Sahib, Faridkot, Amritsar, Muktsar, and Bathinda. Among these, Sangrur and Bathinda recorded uranium concentrations exceeding 200 ppb.
Groundwater contamination is driven by both geogenic and anthropogenic processes. The primary sources of uranium contamination in Punjab are geogenic, arising from uranium-rich soils and rocks, and anthropogenic, particularly fly ash from coal-fired thermal power plants. Irrigation water percolating through calcareous and waterlogged soils dissolves calcium carbonate into soluble bicarbonates, enhancing uranium mobility and leaching into groundwater.
Access to safe and sufficient water is crucial for public health and economic prosperity. However, widespread contamination and growing dependence on groundwater have led to declines in both its quantity and quality (Balaram et al., 2022). Globally, nearly one-fifth of aquifers are over-exploited, resulting in contamination, land subsidence, saltwater intrusion, and increased costs for water treatment (Jasechko et al., 2024). Groundwater can become contaminated through migration of heavy metals, radionuclides, phosphates, nitrates, sulfates, and pesticides from soil and bedrock via processes such as surface runoff, dissolution, and desorption (Pandit et al., 2022). Among these contaminants, uranium—a heavy metal and radionuclide—has been frequently detected over the past decade, originating from both anthropogenic and geogenic sources. In oxic conditions, uranium predominantly exists in the hexavalent form, U(VI), forming the soluble cation uranyl (UO₂²⁺) (Singh et al., 2022a).
Elevated uranium concentrations pose serious health risks, primarily due to chemical toxicity, which surpasses its radiological effects. Chronic exposure can result in kidney damage, skeletal disorders, disruption of xenobiotic metabolism, nervous system impairment, reproductive issues, intestinal inflammation, and weakened antioxidant defenses (Coyte et al., 2018). Reflecting these dangers, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a maximum uranium concentration of 30 μg/L in drinking water (Bajwa et al., 2015). Environmental factors such as declining groundwater tables and the presence of carbonates and nitrates can accelerate the dissolution of uranium-bearing minerals, further elevating uranium concentrations in aquifers (Zhong et al., 2020). The widespread presence of uranium in groundwater underscores the urgent need for continuous monitoring and the implementation of effective remediation strategies to ensure access to safe drinking water.
B.S. Bajwa et al. conducted a detailed study to assess uranium and other trace element concentrations in drinking water from four southwestern districts of Punjab, India: Bathinda, Mansa, Faridkot, and Ferozepur. The investigation aimed to evaluate the potential health risks posed by uranium contamination, particularly its radiotoxicity, while comparing the measured concentrations against national and international safety standards (Bajwa et al., n.d.). A total of 498 groundwater samples were analyzed across the four districts, covering an area of 11,854 square kilometers. The study also monitored key water quality parameters, including pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS), and salinity, to provide a comprehensive understanding of drinking water quality in the region.
The results indicated significant variability in uranium concentration both within and across districts. Bathinda exhibited the highest mean uranium concentration at 80.7 µg/L, followed closely by Mansa at 80.3 µg/L, Faridkot at 68.4 µg/L, and Ferozepur at 64.6 µg/L. Maximum uranium levels in Bathinda and Mansa reached 571.7 µg/L and 579.0 µg/L, respectively, far exceeding the World Health Organization (WHO) safe limit of 30 µg/L. Statistical analysis revealed that 71% of samples from Bathinda and 64% from Mansa surpassed the WHO threshold, while 68% and 67% of samples from Faridkot and Ferozepur, respectively, exceeded this limit. When compared to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) permissible limits, 41–47% of samples across these districts were above safe levels, indicating widespread health risks.
These findings underscore a serious public health concern, highlighting the urgent need for continuous monitoring and remediation measures to mitigate uranium contamination. The study emphasizes that residents in these districts are exposed to water with elevated uranium levels, posing long-term risks such as kidney damage, skeletal disorders, and other health complications. Bajwa et al.’s research provides a critical evidence base for policymakers to prioritize groundwater safety interventions in southwestern Punjab (Bajwa et al., 2015).
A 2021 research by Pradeep Singh, Ankit Singh, Ranveer Singh, and Shilpa Kaushal states that once deposited in soil, uranium tends to accumulate in crop roots with limited translocation to leaves. Phytoextraction studies demonstrate that chelating agents such as citric acid significantly enhance uranium uptake, increasing concentrations in roots and leaves, though levels in edible plant parts generally remain below drinking water safety thresholds. Uranium can also enter the human food chain through contaminated crops and animal products, with higher accumulation observed in young plants and in animal organs such as the kidneys and liver.
Given these risks, addressing uranium contamination in Punjab requires a combination of immediate and long-term strategies. In the short term, providing safe drinking water through community filtration systems, prioritizing deep borewells over shallow aquifers, and limiting the use of contaminated water for irrigation are essential measures to protect public health. Concurrently, monitoring of uranium levels in soil, groundwater, and agricultural produce must be strengthened to ensure early detection and intervention.
Long-term mitigation must focus on reducing environmental uranium inputs and promoting sustainable remediation strategies, such as phytoextraction and soil amendments. Success in these efforts depends on coordinated action among policymakers, scientists, and local communities to implement evidence-based solutions. By combining immediate protective measures with long-term remediation and monitoring, Punjab can safeguard public health, preserve agricultural productivity, and ensure the sustainability of its groundwater resources.