Arsenic and fluoride co-contamination in shallow aquifers from agricultural suburbs and an industrial area of Punjab, Pakistan: Spatial trends, sources and human health implications

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (8) ◽  
pp. 655-672 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Abida Farooqi ◽  
Jawairia Sultana ◽  
Noshin Masood

Release of arsenic (As) and fluoride (F−) species into groundwater is a serious health concern around the world. The present study was the first systematic baseline study conducted in Rahim Yar Khan district, Punjab, focusing on As and F− contamination in groundwater. A total of 51 representative groundwater samples comprising of 44 samples from agricultural suburbs and 7 from an industrial base were analysed. Statistical parameters, principal component analysis-multiple linear regression (PCA-MLR) and health risk assessment model were used to investigate the hydro geochemistry, spatial patterns, interrelation, source contribution and associated health risks of high As and F− in groundwater of the study area. Results showed high risk of F− exposure to people of the study area, with all samples exceeding the WHO standard of 1.5 mg/L, and for As, 32.5% of the studied groundwater samples exceeded the WHO standard (10 µg/L). The maximum As (107.23 µg/L) and F− (26.4 mg/L) levels were observed in samples close to the agricultural and smelting areas, implicating the frequent use of fertilizers and influence of industrial effluents in the study area. The PCA-MLR receptor model quantitatively illustrates that the majority of As and F− comes from natural sources, while, among anthropogenic sources, industrial and agricultural activities contributed the most. Health risk assessment revealed a high risk of As and F− contamination to the exposed population; therefore, detailed control strategies and policies are required in order to mitigate the health risks.

2019 ◽  
pp. 45-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Tian ◽  
Xiujuan Liang ◽  
Yan Gong ◽  
Zhuang Kang ◽  
Hongtao Jin

High concentrations of nitrate in groundwater pose a threat to human health. To quantify groundwater nitrate pollution in China's Changchun New District and evaluate its human health risks, 98 groundwater samples were collected and analyzed. The spatial distribution of groundwater chemical components was variable with concentrations descending from TDS > HCO3− > Ca2+ > NO3− > SO42- > Na+ > Cl− > Mg2+ > K+ > NO2− > NH4+. Notably, NO3− concentrations ranged from 0.02–492.72 mg/L and averaged 98.62 mg/L. Over 50% of samples exceeded the Quality Standard for Groundwater of China Class III N threshold (20 mg/L). Principal component analysis determined that NO3 contamination was primarily due to the excessive use of fertilizers in agriculture. A human health risk assessment model was used to assess the potential health risks of groundwater NO3− via drinking water and skin contact pathways. Approximately 90% of adults, 66% of children, and 45% of infants had acceptable health risks in the study area. NO3− exposure risk in the towns of Longjia and Xiyingcheng was the highest, while urban areas tended to have lower exposures. The health risks of residents, especially minors and infants, were concerned.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elfadil Mohammed Mahmoud ◽  
Indrajit Pal ◽  
Haitham Bashier Abbas

Abstract Background: Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in North Darfur of Sudan have been experiencing serious public health risks such as high prevalence rate, and outbreaks of communicable diseases. Public health risk assessment is complex as researchers engaged in disaster science and management use different quantitative models with different interpretations. The objective of the present study is to proposes methodology for developing Public Health Risk Assessment Model (PH-RAM) to quantify and conceptualizing public health risk as a function of hazard, vulnerability, and capacity.Methods: Household-level public health risk has been assessed integrating the three main component indices, hazard, vulnerability, and capacity, using primary data collected from households of the three IDP camps. Administered survey was performed in 326 households in three IDP camps (Shangil Tobaya, Zamzam, and Abu Shouk) using cluster sampling technique. Households were classified into four public health risk levels, i.e., low risk, moderate risk, high risk, and very high risk. Results: The result shows that the levels of public health risk varied significantly across households in three camps. Households of the Shangil Tobaya camp (in a rural area) were found to be the most vulnerable and the most at high risk to communicable diseases compared to other two camps because of insufficient health services, inadequate water, poor sanitation, and low level of income. The study recommended, mitigation and prevention measures to reduce the factors that are increased the vulnerability of the IDPs to health risks. Conclusions: Our study shows that the suggested PH-RAM could be served as household-level public health risk assessment tools in the context of IDPs at the local, national and regional levels.


2022 ◽  
Vol 964 (1) ◽  
pp. 012010
Author(s):  
Mai Nhu Hoang ◽  
Phu Le Vo ◽  
Trong Vinh Bui ◽  
Pham Hung ◽  
Quang Khai Ha

Abstract Arsenic contaminated groundwaters is a global environmental issue which cause serious problems for human health risks. 188 groundwater samples were collected in private wells of Lam Dong Province, a central highland area, Vietnam to investigate the health risks to the local people by using arsenic contaminated groundwater for drinking purpose. The result showed that the arsenic concentration is average of 14 μg/L and maximum of 500 μg/L. About 12% out of the total groundwater samples have arsenic concentration exceeded that value of 10 μg/L recommended for drinking water by World Health Organization (WHO, 2019). The health risk assessment showed that hazard quotient (HQ) value for adults was up to 60.6 with an average of 1.7 and about 14% of total samples show the HQ values greater than 1. The HQ value for children is average of 4.7 (maximum of 166.7) and about 23% of total groundwater samples show HQ > 1 for children. Cancer risk (CR) values were up to 27x10-4 (average of 8x10-4) for adults and 75x10-4 (average of 21x10-4) for children. About 26% and 29% of out of the total samples show CR value for adult and children greater than the CR (1×10-4) proposed by the USEPA. The result also indicated that the consumption of arsenic contaminated groundwater may seriously damage the human health. Therefore, groundwater in the area needs to be treated for arsenic removal before drinking to minimize the adverse effect on local communities’ health.


Author(s):  
Lian Chen ◽  
Shenglu Zhou ◽  
Qiong Yang ◽  
Qingrong Li ◽  
Dongxu Xing ◽  
...  

This study detailed a complete research from Lead (Pb) content level to ecological and health risk to direct- and primary-sources apportionment arising from wheat and rice grains, in the Lihe River Watershed of the Taihu region, East China. Ecological and health risk assessment were based on the pollution index and US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) health risk assessment model. A three-stage quantitative analysis program based on Pb isotope analysis to determine the relative contributions of primary sources involving (1) direct-source apportionment in grains with a two-end-member model, (2) apportionment of soil and dustfall sources using the IsoSource model, and (3) the integration of results of (1) and (2) was notedly first proposed. The results indicated that mean contents of Pb in wheat and rice grains were 0.54 and 0.45 mg/kg and both the bio-concentration factors (BCF) were <<1; the ecological risk pollution indices were 1.35 for wheat grains and 1.11 for rice grains; hazard quotient (HQ) values for adult and child indicating health risks through ingestion of grains were all <1; Coal-fired industrial sources account for up to 60% of Pb in the grains. This study provides insights into the management of grain Pb pollution and a new method for its source apportionment.


2014 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 505-513 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. M. Phillips ◽  
R. E. Glasgow ◽  
G. Bello ◽  
M. G. Ory ◽  
B. A. Glenn ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Roscoe Taylor ◽  
Charles Guest

This chapter will help you to understand the environmental health in the rapidly changing context of health protection, the usefulness of having a framework for environmental health risk assessment, and the process of identifying, evaluating, and planning a response to an environmental health threat.


2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (s1) ◽  
pp. s116-s116
Author(s):  
Ellen Bloomer ◽  
Tina Endericks

Introduction:Risk assessment for mass gatherings (MGs) is undertaken to enable public health authorities to systematically identify and assess the generic characteristics of an MG, which introduce or enhance particular threats and develop measures to reduce or mitigate these threats. The World Health Organization Collaborating Centres on Mass Gatherings and Global Health Security (WHO CCs) produced a comprehensive guide to MGs called “Public Health for Mass Gatherings: Key Considerations” (KC2). This is being converted into an eLearning resource. A public health risk assessment toolkit is being developed by the WHO CCs to complement and guide organizers in their planning process for the health risks associated with an MG event. Preparations for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games (BCG) are underway and it is important to involve a public health element in the planning for the BCG.Aim:To develop a public health risk assessment toolkit for MGs and pilot it as part of the planning process for the BCG.Methods:Based on KC2 principles, methods included developing and finalizing a public health risk assessment toolkit for MGs. This study also piloted the toolkit for the BCG.Results:A toolkit will be developed. Key learning will be documented on how the toolkit can be improved. The pilot will identify the key public health risks for the BCG, and assess how to mitigate them.Discussion:The development of this toolkit will be an innovative contribution to the resources available for those organizing MGs. It will support organizers to conduct risk assessments and thus maximize the potential for health from the event. Piloting the toolkit for the BCG is an opportunity for validating it, and provides valuable learning for its use in future events. It will support the risk assessment process for the BCG and share learning regarding the key risks for this event.


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