UPSC Prelims 2013 Q8: Environment & Ecology – Water & Wetland Conservation
Which of the following can be found as pollutants in the drinking water in some parts of
India?
1. Arsenic
2. Sorbitol
3. Fluoride
4. Formaldehyde
5. Uranium
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
- (a) 1 and 3 only
- (b) 2, 4 and 5 only
- (c) 1, 3 and 5 only
- (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Answer: (c) 1, 3 and 5 only
Explanation
Pollutants in drinking water in parts of India
| Substance | Found as a pollutant in drinking water? | Where and effect |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Arsenic | Yes | West Bengal, Bihar, the Ganga plain; skin lesions, cancer |
| 2. Sorbitol | No | A sweetener used in food and medicine |
| 3. Fluoride | Yes | Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Gujarat; fluorosis of teeth and bones |
| 4. Formaldehyde | No | An industrial chemical and preservative, not a groundwater pollutant |
| 5. Uranium | Yes | Punjab (Malwa region) and other States; kidney damage |
Other groundwater pollutants:
| Pollutant | Effect |
|---|---|
| Nitrate | Blue baby syndrome |
| Iron | Stains, taste; common in the east and north-east |
| Salinity | Coastal and arid areas |
Answer: (c) 1, 3 and 5 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Uranium is also found in drinking water in some parts.
- (b) Incorrect. Sorbitol and formaldehyde are not such pollutants.
- (c) CORRECT. Arsenic, fluoride and uranium occur as pollutants in drinking water.
- (d) Incorrect. Sorbitol and formaldehyde do not belong in the list.
Key point
Groundwater pollutants in India: arsenic (West Bengal, Bihar), fluoride (Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh), uranium (Punjab), nitrate, iron.
Remember
Arsenic, fluoride, uranium: India's drinking water pollutants.
Common mistakes
- Not knowing about uranium in Punjab's groundwater.
- Confusing fluoride with fluorine gas.
- Mixing up the diseases: arsenic - skin lesions; fluoride - fluorosis.
Exam tip
Groundwater pollutants are mostly natural minerals: arsenic, fluoride, uranium, iron.
Sources
- Central Ground Water Board — Ground Water Quality in Shallow Aquifers of India
- Ministry of Jal Shakti — Jal Jeevan Mission: water quality affected habitations