Polluted air, contaminated water linked to cancer burden in Bihar

Patna: Doctors and researchers in Bihar are increasingly linking groundwater contamination and deteriorating air quality to a rise in serious illnesses, including various forms of cancer, as recent state data points to widespread environmental exposure risks across both rural and urban populations.

According to the Bihar Economic Survey 2024-25, groundwater in nearly 26% of rural wards across 31 of the state’s 38 districts is contaminated by arsenic, fluoride and iron. The survey estimates that around 30,207 rural wards are affected by unsafe drinking water, including 4,709 wards with arsenic contamination, 3,789 with fluoride contamination and 21,709 with excessive iron content. Public health experts warn that prolonged consumption of contaminated groundwater can significantly increase cancer risks, depending on the nature of the pollutant, its concentration and the duration of exposure.

Arsenic remains a major concern, with the World Health Organization classifying it as a carcinogen. Medical studies have linked chronic arsenic exposure to an increased risk of skin, bladder and lung cancers. Researchers have reported arsenic levels exceeding recommended limits in parts of Bihar, raising concerns over long-term health consequences for communities dependent on groundwater sources.

Air pollution is emerging as another significant environmental factor linked to disease, extending beyond respiratory ailments to cancer risks. Studies show that fine particulate matter such as PM2.5 can penetrate deep into the lungs, trigger inflammation and damage cellular DNA, processes associated with an elevated risk of lung cancer.

In a global assessment of some of the world’s most polluted cities, seven Bihar cities—Patna, Bhagalpur, Muzaffarpur, Hajipur, Chapra, Saharsa and Araria — featured on the list. Patna’s average PM2.5 concentration was reported to be nearly 10 times higher than the WHO standard, reflecting sustained exposure driven by vehicular emissions, construction dust, waste burning and industrial activity.

Household air pollution is also being identified as a cancer-linked hazard, particularly for women. A study conducted by the Asian Development Research Institute (ADRI) and Mahavir Cancer Sansthan documented lung cancer cases among 1,637 non-smoking women in Bihar between 2015 and 2023. The study linked the risk to prolonged exposure to biomass smoke from wood and coal-fired stoves and inadequate kitchen ventilation.

Dr Rajeev Ranjan Prasad, director of Mahavir Vatsalya Aspatal, said environmental conditions directly affect internal body mechanisms and that continuous exposure to pollution is contributing to a rise in asthma and bronchial disorders, including among younger people.

Senior cancer surgeon Dr V P Singh said contaminated air, water and chemically affected food items are emerging as major contributors to the growing cancer burden. He identified air pollution as a key factor behind lung cancer and warned that arsenic and other heavy metals in groundwater can increase the risk of liver, bladder, stomach and skin cancers. He further cautioned that long-term consumption of food contaminated by fertilisers and pesticides may lead to carcinogenic accumulation in the body.