Evaluation of genotoxic potential of gropundwater from industrial and farmering sites on colon cancer cell lines

Abstract

Water is critical component on earth which is essential for life. There are number of reservoirs of water like surface water, groundwater etc. used for drinking, domestic as well as industrial purposes. Numerous studies have shown that water is contaminated by many pollutants like chemicals including pesticides, fertilizers, and heavy metals including arsenic, uranium, and exposure to this contaminated water may cause number of health problems including cancer. It has been found that in Punjab, specifically Malwa region's groundwater is highly contaminated by pesticides and heavy metals which may correlate to several health problems in this region. In this context, mechanisms of genotoxic potential activity of the groundwater, from thermal plant and villages Deon and Joganand, was estimated in the present study. The groundwater caused reactive oxygen species production, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, which ultimately caused cell death. Groundwater also affected the antioxidant system enzymes, so all these factors may be the cause of health problems in this region.