Assessment of risk for the development of non-cancirogenic effects in using water from non-centralized water suppliers in the Tomsk region

Abstract

Introduction. Iron is a widespread element in groundwater, which is used for domestic and drinking water supply. When using waters from non-centralized sources, deironing of waters, as a rule, is not carried out. When such waters are used for drinking purposes, there is a likely risk of negative effects for public health. Materials and methods. Forty six sources of non-centralized water supply (private wells, water wells, springs) were studied It considered assessing the health risk with oral administration of the components through drinking water into the body. Results. For single samples in the chemical composition of waters there were determined high contents of total hardness, SO42-, Cl-, NO3-. Waters with Fe and Mn concentrations many times higher than the normative values are widespread. The main non-carcinogenic risk is iron and nitrates, which have been identified as warning and high risk levels. For other components, the values of the hazard coefficient are within the range of the minimum and acceptable levels of risk. The probability of occurrence of negative effects for the children’s age group is possible with an iron content of 5 mg/l and more, for an adult - 11 mg/l and more. Limitations. The limitation related to the incomplete route of exposure to chemical components, since only one medium (drinking water) and only one route of exposure (oral exposure) was considered on the risk assessment. This study is also limited by the number of water samples. Conclusion. The health risk associated with high iron content in water has been set for children and adults. For the children’s group (up to 6 years), the risk of developing diseases of non-infectious etiology is significantly higher, than for the adult group, as shown by the results. When iron-containing waters are used for drinking purposes, there is a risk of non-infectious pathologies.