Assessment of heavy metals concentration in groundwater and their associated health risks near an industrial area
Background: Heavy metals (HMs) contamination from industrial wastewater is a major environmental problem that has been increasing in the past few years. The purpose of this study was to investigate the current status of HMs contamination in Bu-Ali industrial town, Hamedan, western Iran. Methods:...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Kerman University of Medical Sciences
2020-06-01
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| Series: | Environmental Health Engineering and Management |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://ehemj.com/article-1-614-en.html |
| Summary: | Background: Heavy metals (HMs) contamination from industrial wastewater is a major environmental
problem that has been increasing in the past few years. The purpose of this study was to investigate the
current status of HMs contamination in Bu-Ali industrial town, Hamedan, western Iran.
Methods: The concentration of 9 serious HMs (arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, lead,
manganese, nickel, and zinc) in groundwater samples was studied during spring 2017. In order to
evaluate water quality for aquaculture and drinking purposes, heavy metal evaluation index (HEI),
heavy metal pollution index (HPI), and contamination (Cd) indicator were calculated. Health risk of
HMs was also calculated to assess the risk of cancer.
Results: The results showed that the mean concentration of the HMs according to the Cd index was as
follows: Pb > Ni > Cr > Fe > Cd > As > Cu > Zn > Mn. The mean HEI and HPI values were 89.1 and 815.5,
respectively. The results also showed that there was no relationship between the HMs concentration and
cancer risk.
Conclusion: The concentration of the studied HMs in most samples was higher than the permissible
limit for drinking water. The HEI and HPI values in high-risk samples were higher than the permissible
limit of drinking water, therefore, there is high risk and limitation for aquatic life, but there is no risk
of cancer. |
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| ISSN: | 2423-3765 2423-4311 |