Identifying Groundwater Fluoride Source in a Weathered Basement Aquifer in Central Malawi: Human Health and Policy Implications

Consumption of groundwater containing fluoride exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) 1.5 mg/L standard leaves people vulnerable to fluorosis: a vulnerability not well characterised in Malawi. To evaluate geogenic fluoride source and concentration, groundwater fluoride and geology was documented in central Malawi where groundwater supplies are mainly sourced from the weathered basement aquifer. Lithological composition was shown as the main control on fluoride occurrence. Augen gneiss of granitic composition posed the greatest geological fluoride risk. The weathered basement aquifer profile was the main factor controlling fluoride distributions. These results and fluoride-lithology statistical analysis allowed the development of a graded map of geological fluoride risk. A direct link to human health risk (dental fluorosis) from geological fluoride was quantified to support science-led policy change for fluoride in rural drinking water in Malawi. Hazard quotient (HQ) values were calculated and assigned to specific water points, depending on user age group; in this case, 74% of children under six were shown to be vulnerable to dental fluorosis. Results are contrary to current standard for fluoride in Malawi groundwater of 6 mg/L, highlighting the need for policy change. Detailed policy recommendations are presented based on the results of this study.

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Manganese in potable water of nine districts, Bangladesh: Human health risk

10.21203/rs.3.rs-219919/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Md. Aminur Rahman ◽

Md. Abul Hashem ◽

Md. Sohel Rana ◽

Md. Rashidul Islam

Keyword(s):

Drinking Water ◽

Human Health ◽

Water Samples ◽

Potable Water ◽

Hazard Quotient ◽

Human Health Risk ◽

World Health ◽

Well Water ◽

Tube Well ◽

Health Organization

Abstract Safe drinking water is directly linked to good human health. An excessive amount of manganese (Mn) in drinking water supplies causes people show symptoms of neurotoxicity. In this study, the level of Mn in potable water sourced from tube wells located in 9 (nine) districts of Bangladesh was monitored. In total 170 (one hundred and seventy) water samples were collected and Mn was quantified by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The levels of Mn found in the tube well water samples of Sirajganj, Meherpur, Chuadanga, Jhenaidah, Magura, Faridpur, Jashore, Satkhira, and Khulna were 0.37–1.86, 0.10–4.11, 0.30–0.76, 0.26–0.94, 0.01–0.18, 0.21–1.78, 0.08–1.23, 0.05–0.27 and 0.01–2.11 mg/L, respectively. Results revealed that Mn level was beyond the highest contaminated levels of 0.1 mg/L and 0.4 mg/L, which are recommended by Bangladesh Drinking Standard (BDS) and World Health Organization (WHO), respectively. The maximum Mn contaminated level reached up to 4.11 mg/L (mean: 0.53 mg/L). The Mn level in tube well water exceeded 51.1% and 75.9% set by the recommended value of WHO and BDS, respectively. Furthermore, the calculated hazard quotient (HQ) value for Mn was observed to be greater than unity, indicating both children and adults risked potential non-carcinogenic health issues. The water supply authorities should take steps to provide Mn-free drinking water for communities.

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HEAVY METALS CONTAMINATION AND HUMAN HEALTH RISK FROM SELECTED FISH IN LAGOS, NIGERIA

JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND REVIEW IN SCIENCE ◽

10.36108/jrrslasu/7102/40(0123) ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Chima Fausta Nnodum ◽

Kafeelah Abosede Yusuf ◽

Comfort Adetutu Adeniji

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Health Risk ◽

Human Health ◽

Fish Species ◽

Hazard Quotient ◽

Human Health Risk ◽

Daily Intake ◽

Hazard Index ◽

World Health ◽

Target Hazard Quotient

Abstract: Introduction : Heavy metals are known to cause deleterious effects on human health through food chain. Aims: The study is aimed at assessing heavy metal concentrations in the tissues of four highly consumed fish species and to evaluate the potential health risks associated with their consumption. Materials and Methods: The concentrations of Cu, Cd and Pb were analyzed in the tissues of Titus (Scomber Japonicus), Croaker (Pseudolithus Elongatus), Scumbia (Ilisha Africana) and Shrimps (Pipeus Notialis) by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) after digestion of the samples. Results: The results showed that Cd was not detected in the tissues of all fish species. There were variations among Cu and Pb concentrations in the tissues of the fish species. Cu had the highest concentrations (1.00 µg/g) in the tissues of croaker and shrimps respectively while Pb had the lowest concentrations (0.25 µg/g) in the tissues of Scumbia . The levels of all metals in the present study were lower than the limits permitted by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO), European Community Regulation (EU) and European Commission (EC). Assessment of noncarcinogenic health hazard using Target hazard quotient (THQ) and hazard index (HI) indicated no concern from consumption of these fish species. The estimated daily intake (EDI) of the studied metals through fish consumption was below the permissible tolerable daily intake. Conclusion: It can be concluded that there is no potential human health risk from consumption of the selected fish species. Keywords: Heavy metals, Hazard index, Target hazard quotient.

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Assessing Cadmium and Chromium Concentrations in Drinking Water to Predict Health Risk in Malaysia

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17082966 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (8) ◽

pp. 2966 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Minhaz Farid Ahmed ◽

Mazlin Bin Mokhtar

Keyword(s):

Drinking Water ◽

Health Risk ◽

Human Health ◽

Aquatic Environment ◽

Tap Water ◽

Hazard Quotient ◽

Human Health Risk ◽

Quality Standard ◽

World Health ◽

Lifetime Cancer Risk

Although toxic Cd (cadmium) and Cr (chromium) in the aquatic environment are mainly from natural sources, human activities have increased their concentrations. Several studies have reported higher concentrations of Cd and Cr in the aquatic environment of Malaysia; however, the association between metal ingestion via drinking water and human health risk has not been established. This study collected water samples from four stages of the drinking water supply chain at Langat River Basin, Malaysia in 2015 to analyze the samples by inductivity coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Mean concentrations of Cd and Cr and the time-series river data (2004–2014) of these metals were significantly within the safe limit of drinking water quality standard proposed by the Ministry of Health Malaysia and the World Health Organization. Hazard quotient (HQ) and lifetime cancer risk (LCR) values of Cd and Cr in 2015 and 2020 also indicate no significant human health risk of its ingestion via drinking water. Additionally, management of pollution sources in the Langat Basin from 2004 to 2015 decreased Cr concentration in 2020 on the basis of autoregression moving average. Although Cd and Cr concentrations were found to be within the safe limits at Langat Basin, high concentrations of these metals have been found in household tap water, especially due to the contamination in the water distribution pipeline. Therefore, a two-layer water filtration system should be introduced in the basin to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 agenda of a better and more sustainable future for all, especially via SDG 6 of supplying safe drinking water at the household level.

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A comprehensive assessment of groundwater for seasonal variation in hydro-geochemistry, quality, contamination and human health risk from Deccan Basaltic region, Western India

10.21203/rs.3.rs-177448/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ajaykumar Kadam ◽

Vasant Wagh ◽

James Jacobs ◽

Sanjay Patil ◽

Namdev Pawar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Health Risk ◽

Human Health ◽

Health Hazard ◽

Human Health Risk ◽

Hazard Index ◽

Pollution Index ◽

Flow Region ◽

World Health ◽

Western India

Abstract Groundwater occurrence in hard rock basaltic terrains is restricted to weathered and fractured zones and pockets wherein slow movement of groundwater, prolonged rock-water interactions and higher residence time alter the natural chemistry of groundwater raising water quality issues. The qualitative geochemical analysis, contamination levels and human health risk assessment (HHRA) of groundwater is an integral step in groundwater management in the Deccan Plateau basalt flow region of India. Representative groundwater samples (68) collected from the Shivganga River basin area during pre-monsoon (PRM) and post-monsoon (POM) seasons in 2015 were analyzed for major cations and anions. According to World Health Organization (WHO) EC, total dissolved solids, hardness, bicarbonate, calcium and magnesium surpassed the desirable limit. Boron and fluoride content exceeded the prescribed desirable limit of the WHO. The pollution and drinking suitability were assessed by computing pollution index of groundwater (PIG), groundwater quality index (GWQI), and HHRA particularly for boron and fluoride toxicity. PIG values inferred that about 6% of groundwater has moderate, 24% has low, and 70% has insignificant pollution in the PRM season; while, only 1 sample (3 %) showed high pollution, 6% showed low, and 91% showed insignificant pollution in the POM season. GWQI results indicate that 27% and 15% samples are within the poor category, and only 15% and 18% of the samples fall within the excellent water quality category in the PRM and the POM season, respectively. Total hazard index (THI) revealed that 88% of children, 59% of adults, and about 38% of infants are exposed to non-carcinogenic risk, as THI values (> 1) were noted for the PRM season; while, 62% of children, 47% of adults and 24% of infants, are vulnerable to non-carcinogenic health hazard during the POM period.

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Human Health Risk Assessment of Trace Metals in Surface Water Due to Leachate from the Municipal Dumpsite by Pollution Index: A Case Study from Ndawuse River, Abuja, Nigeria

Open Chemistry ◽

10.1515/chem-2018-0008 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. 214-227 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Ibironke Titilayo Enitan ◽

Abimbola Motunrayo Enitan ◽

John Ogony Odiyo ◽

Muhammad Mamman Alhassan

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Surface Water ◽

Health Risk ◽

Human Health ◽

Heavy Metal Contamination ◽

Hazard Quotient ◽

Phase 1 ◽

Human Health Risk ◽

Hazard Index ◽

Cumulative Exposure

AbstractThe study assessed the level of heavy metals in surface water across Ndawuse River near the dumpsite at Phase 1 District of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Nigeria. The results indicated that oxygen demand, turbidity and heavy metals were above the standard limits set for drinking water. Multivariate analysis using principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis revealed natural and anthropogenic activities as sources of heavy metal contamination. The estimated non-carcinogenic effects using hazard quotient toxicity potential, cumulative hazard index and daily human exposure dose of surface water through ingestion pathway were less than a unity. The estimated carcinogenic risks (CRing) exceeded the suggested potential risk limits, with lead (Pb) having the highest CRing value for all age groups. However, children were found to be more susceptible to heavy metals over a period of time according to the estimated values. The concentration of heavy metals in the investigated river could pose an adverse health risk to several communities that rely on this receiving water bodies for domestic purposes. Therefore, there is need for strict enforcement of environmental laws to protect aquatic ecosystem and to avoid long term cumulative exposure risk that heavy metals may pose on human health.

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Evaluation of Metal Contamination, Flux and the Associated Human Health Risk from Atmospheric Dustfall in Metal Mining Areas of Southern Jharkhand, India.

10.21203/rs.3.rs-890010/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Mukesh Kumar Mahato ◽

Abhay Kumar Singh ◽

Soma Giri

Keyword(s):

Health Risk ◽

Human Health ◽

Metal Contamination ◽

Hazard Quotient ◽

Human Health Risk ◽

Hazard Index ◽

Atmospheric Environment ◽

Anthropogenic Sources ◽

Mining Areas ◽

Iron Mining

Abstract Metals can be apprehended in the atmospheric environment of copper and iron mining areas of Jharkhand, which falls in one of the most mineralised areas of India with extensive mining and industrial activities. The study was taken up to appraise the metal contamination in the atmospheric dust to evaluate the metal fluxes and associated health risk considering the seasonal variations. Sixty samples were analysed for As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn using the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) and the contamination levels were assessed by various indices. The metal content of dustfall samples exceeded the average shale values for most of the metals. Higher metal concentrations were found in the locations in close vicinity of mining and industrial areas. The principal component analysis suggested both geogenic and anthropogenic sources for metals in the atmospheric dustfall. Human health risk as determined by hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI) suggested considerable risk to the child populace through the ingestion pathway for both the mining areas, higher being in iron mining areas. The metal flux and the health risk were higher in summers as compared to winters for both the mining areas. Consequently, the results advocate the necessity of periodic monitoring of the freefall dust of the mining areas and development of proper management strategies to reduce the metal pollution.

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The use of an odour wheel classification for the evaluation of human health risk criteria for compost facilities

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.2007.197 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 55 (5) ◽

pp. 345-357 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

P.E. Rosenfeld ◽

J.J.J. Clark ◽

A.R. Hensley ◽

I.H. Suffet

Keyword(s):

Health Risk ◽

Human Health ◽

Occupational Safety ◽

Human Health Risk ◽

The United States ◽

Occupational Safety And Health ◽

World Health ◽

Health Administration ◽

Safety And Health ◽

Human Odour

Odorants are released during the decomposition of organic waste at compost treatment plants. Composting releases volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), including alcohols, aldehydes, volatile fatty acids, ammonia and other nitrogen compounds, xenobiotic solvents, and various sulphur compounds into the environment as categorised by a compost odor wheel. Each odorant possesses a characteristic odour signature – quality and threshold as well as a toxicity value. This paper presents data relating the human odour detection limit to human health threshold criteria developed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the United States Environmental Protection Agency Region 9 and the World Health Organisation. This comparison indicates that: (1) the human odour threshold concentrations (OTC) for most compost odorants are far lower than their respective human health risk (regulatory) threshold values, (2) several compost odorants have OTC that are below some of their respective regulatory thresholds and above others (i.e. dimethyl amine, formic acid acetone, ethyl benzene and toluene) and (3) only the VOCs probably present as contaminants in the raw composting material have OTC greater than all of its regulatory thresholds (i.e. benzene). Benzene is the most hazardous VOC associated with composting and should be monitored.

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Distribution, Sources, and Water Quality Assessment of Dissolved Heavy Metals in the Jiulongjiang River Water, Southeast China

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph15122752 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 15 (12) ◽

pp. 2752 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Bin Liang ◽

Guilin Han ◽

Man Liu ◽

Kunhua Yang ◽

Xiaoqiang Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Water Quality ◽

Human Health ◽

Hazard Quotient ◽

Urban Land ◽

World Health ◽

Mining Activities ◽

Southeast China ◽

Dissolved Heavy Metals ◽

Jiulongjiang River

In this study, the concentration of eight dissolved heavy metals (Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Mo, Sb, and Ba) in 42 water samples from the Jiulongjiang River, southeast China, were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Multivariate statistical methods, including correlation analysis (CA) and factor and principal component analysis (FA/PCA), were analyzed to identify the sources of the elements. Water quality index (WQI) and health risk assessment, including hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI), were used to evaluate water quality and the impacts on human health. Our results were compared with the drinking water guidelines reported by China, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), revealing that Ti, Mn, and Sb were not within approved limits at some sites and might be the main pollutants in the drainage basin. Based on the spatial distributions, Ti, Mn, Fe, Ni, and Mo showed good similarity, indicating that they might come from similar sources along the river. The CA results also showed that Ti, Mn, Fe, Ni, and Mo had a high correlation coefficient. The FA/PCA results identified three principal components (PC) that accounted for 79.46% of the total variance. PC 1 suggested that a mixed lithogenic and urban land source contributed to Ti, Mn, Fe, Ni, and Mo; PC 2 showed that Cr, Ni, and Mo were influenced by the discharge of industrial effluents; Sb had a strong loading on PC 3, which was controlled by mining activities. The results of the WQI indicated that the water in the Jiulongjiang River was basically categorized as excellent water, but the water quality levels in site W5 and N4 were poorer due to urban land use. Hazard quotient and HI values showed that Sb was a potential threat to human health, indicating that preventive actions should be considered in regard to mining activities in the upper reaches of Beixi stream.

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Spatial distribution of trace elements (As, Cd, Ni, Pb) from PM10 aerosols and human health impact assessment in an Eastern European country, Romania

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment ◽

10.1007/s10661-021-08931-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 193 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Katalin Bodor ◽

Zsolt Bodor ◽

Róbert Szép

Keyword(s):

Trace Elements ◽

Impact Assessment ◽

Human Health ◽

Health Impact Assessment ◽

Hazard Quotient ◽

Eastern European Country ◽

Health Impact ◽

World Health ◽

Human Health Impact ◽

Study Results

AbstractIn the present study, the concentrations of trace elements in PM10 were determined and analyzed at 115 monitoring stations in Romania throughout the period 2009–2018. The spatiotemporal distribution of trace element concentrations of PM10, the source apportionment and health impact assessment, was carried out. The results showed a very high multi-annual mean concentration for PM10 and trace elements as well. The multiannual average concentration of PM10 was higher by 29.75% than the World Health Organization recommendation. All studied air pollutants showed a decreasing trend during the studied years, showing with 17.84%, 50.21%, 43.36%, 11.27%, and 72.09% lower values for PM10, As-, Cd-, Ni-, and Pb-, respectively, due to environmental regulations. To assess the human health impact, the hazard quotient (HQ) and cancer risk (CR) were calculated using the health risk model developed by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Cd and Ni might present a non-carcinogenic risk to both adults and children; however, the hazard quotient values are higher than the safe limit, with 9.53 and 1.93, respectively. In addition, our study results revealed that the inhalation of As, Cd and the dermal absorption of all studied trace elements were considered as the most important risk factors for developing cancer, especially in case of adults.

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A Machine Learning Approach for Spatial Mapping of the Health Risk Associated with Arsenic-Contaminated Groundwater in Taiwan’s Lanyang Plain

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph182111385 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (21) ◽

pp. 11385

Author(s):

Ching-Ping Liang ◽

Chi-Chien Sun ◽

Heejun Suk ◽

Sheng-Wei Wang ◽

Jui-Sheng Chen

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Human Health ◽

Environmental Protection Agency ◽

Cross Validation ◽

Groundwater Resources ◽

Hazard Quotient ◽

Prediction Performance ◽

World Health ◽

Spatial Mapping ◽

Mean Square Errors

Groundwater resources are abundant and widely used in Taiwan’s Lanyang Plain. However, in some places the groundwater arsenic (As) concentrations far exceed the World Health Organization’s standards for drinking water quality. Measurements of the As concentrations in groundwater show considerable spatial variability, which means that the associated risk to human health would also vary from region to region. This study aims to adapt a back-propagation neural network (BPNN) method to carry out more reliable spatial mapping of the As concentrations in the groundwater for comparison with the geostatistical ordinary kriging (OK) method results. Cross validation is performed to evaluate the prediction performance by dividing the As monitoring data into three sets. The cross-validation results show that the average determination coefficients (R2) for the As concentrations obtained with BPNN and OK are 0.55 and 0.49, whereas the average root mean square errors (RMSE) are 0.49 and 0.54, respectively. Given the better prediction performance of the BPNN, it is recommended as a more reliable tool for the spatial mapping of the groundwater As concentration. Subsequently, the As concentrations estimated obtained using the BPNN are applied to develop a spatial map illustrating the risk to human health associated with the ingestion of As-containing groundwater based on the noncarcinogenic hazard quotient (HQ) and carcinogenic target risk (TR) standards established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Such maps can be used to demarcate the areas where residents are at higher risk due to the ingestion of As-containing groundwater, and prioritize the areas where more intensive monitoring of groundwater quality is required. The spatial mapping of As concentrations from the BPNN was also used to demarcate the regions where the groundwater is suitable for farmland and fishponds based on the water quality standards for As for irrigation and aquaculture.

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