Characterization of Groundwater Quality and Human Health Risk Assessment

Abstract

The study aimed to appraise groundwater quality in the Mekong Delta using a groundwater quality index (GWQI) and estimate human health risks associated with groundwater consumption. Groundwater samples were collected at sixty wells distributed in An Giang, Kien Giang, Hau Giang and Dong Thap provinces. Twelve water quality parameters were measured, including pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), hardness, coliform, nitrate (NO3ˉ), nitrite (NO2ˉ), ammonium (NH4+), sulfate (SO42-), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd). The results were compared with the national regulation on groundwater quality. The findings of this study indicated that groundwater in the Mekong Delta was contaminated with microorganisms and some heavy metals (Fe, Mn, and As). This was related to anthropogenic activities, such as improperly treated domestic wastewater and agricultural and industrial wastes. Based on the results of GWQI, 30% of the total groundwater samples in the Mekong Delta were classified as very good for drinking purposes. However, over 26% of all samples were unsuitable for drinking. In terms of risk assessment, children were rather susceptible to cancer risks and adverse health effects through drinking As-contaminated groundwater than adults. The cancer risks of consuming As-contaminated groundwater for children and adults were up to 4.28×10-3that is higher than the acceptable risk. The highest aggregate hazard quotient of heavy metal-contaminated groundwater for children and adults was 9.54, which means that they could suffer adverse health effects. Groundwater is an indispensable source of freshwater in the Mekong Delta; thus, home water treatments are recommended to protect public health, and an in-depth groundwater quality and health risk assessment should be conducted. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2023-09-03-09 Full Text: PDF

Evaluating Groundwater Quality Using Multivariate Statistical Analysis and Groundwater Quality Index

“…Former studies presented that groundwater quality is polluted. For instance, Giao and Nhien (2023) [15] reported that groundwater quality in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta has been polluted by heavy metals and coliforms, and the causes of pollution may be from improper treatment of waste in domestic activities, agricultural and industrial production. The study by Laonamsai et al (2023) [8] also found that Zn, Hg, Pd, Fe, and Mn contaminated groundwater quality in Thailand.…”

“…This information is required for the planning of groundwater usage. One of the basic ways to evaluate the characteristics of groundwater quality is to compare individual measured concentrations of groundwater parameters to corresponding values regulated by national or international standards [15,18]. For the overall groundwater quality that is presented for a well or an aquifer, the groundwater quality index (GWQI) is used.…”

“…For the overall groundwater quality that is presented for a well or an aquifer, the groundwater quality index (GWQI) is used. GWQI calculation requires the use of a set of preidentified groundwater quality data, so the groundwater quality between space and time is easily compared and ranked [8,9,15,19]. GWQI has been widely applied in several former studies [3,8,9,12,13,15].…”

“…GWQI calculation requires the use of a set of preidentified groundwater quality data, so the groundwater quality between space and time is easily compared and ranked [8,9,15,19]. GWQI has been widely applied in several former studies [3,8,9,12,13,15]. Recently, multivariate statistical methods, including principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA), have also been widely applied in studying groundwater quality [3,18,19].…”

Occupational lead exposure health risk assessment and heme biosynthesis: A study on batik artisans in yogyakarta, Indonesia

“…Studies assessing heavy metals and human health risks from the exposure have provided valuable insights into potential health hazards in various settings. A recent study in the Mekong Delta evaluated groundwater quality and found heavy metal contamination, posing health risks, both carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic [ 23 ]. Given the occupational context of the batik industry and its potential for lead exposure, conducting a comprehensive health risk assessment becomes crucial to safeguard the well-being of workers.…”