Review on Iron Contamination in Water of Dhamtari District and its Effects on Human Health

Iron contamination has become an important global issue as drinking water. Iron is a trace element important for various physiological functions, but it is harmful to be present in drinking water other than the approved limit of 1.0 mg/L. Pollution is primarily explained by natural geochemical changes and human-made activities such as mining, industrial emissions, and pipelines. In the Dhamtari District of Chhattisgarh, groundwater samples from several villages - Kondapar, Aouri, Jabarra, Dugli, Kouhabahara, Dorgardula, Farsiya, Keregaon, Shankarda, and Khadadaha in Kurud, Nagri, and Dhamtari blocks - have reported alarmingly high iron concentrations ranging from 1.6 mg/L to 38.6 mg/L. Long-term consumption of iron-contaminated water is associated with a wide range of health effects, including skin disorders, fatigue, weight loss, joint pain, cognitive dysfunction, liver and heart damage, pancreatic damage, and reproductive complications. This study critically examines the status of iron contamination in groundwater in the Dhamtari District, assesses its potential impact on healthcare, and highlights the need for effective strategies to mitigate outcomes.