The present study was carried out to evaluate the nitrate contamination in groundwater and ascertain the associated health risks to rural populations in the agricultural area of the Kadava River basin. A total of (80) eighty representative samples from rural habitat located in agricultural fields were collected during pre- and postmonsoon seasons of 2011, which are mainly used for drinking and irrigation. The chemical results confirm that, 52.5 and 65% groundwater samples from pre- and postmonsoon season are unfit for drinking because of high nitrate contents exceeding the limit of nitrate (>45 mg L⁻¹) recommended by the BIS. The oral and dermal exposure pathways were calculated for different age group based on US EPA and ICMR standards. HQ₁ is much higher than the critical limit of 1 which increases the risk from 92.5 to 95% groundwater samples, while value of HQ₂ is far below to the critical value of 1; hence, all age groups free from risk. THQ values depicts that, children were at greater risk followed by infants and adults. Therefore, it is immensely important to regulate the use of nitrogen complex fertilizer and groundwater management practices should be implemented to prevent the associated risks to human health.

本研究旨在评估地下水中的硝酸盐污染，并确定对卡达瓦河流域农业地区农村人口的健康风险。在2011年季风前后前后，总共（80）个来自农业农村栖息地的代表性样本共80个，主要用于饮用和灌溉。化学结果证实，季风前后的52.5％和65％的地下水样品不适合饮用，因为硝酸盐含量高，超过了BIS推荐的硝酸盐限量（> 45 mg L ^-1）。根据美国EPA和ICMR标准，计算了不同年龄组的口腔和皮肤接触途径。总部₁远远高于1的临界极限，这会使92.5％的地下水样本的风险增加到95％，而HQ _2的值远远低于1的临界值；因此，所有年龄段的人都没有风险。THQ值表明，儿童的风险更高，其次是婴儿和成人。因此，规范氮复合肥的使用非常重要，应该实施地下水管理措施以防止对人类健康的相关风险。