ASSESSMENT OF ARSENIC EXPOSURE FROM DRINKING WATER WITHIN A POPULATION GROUP IN COVASNA COUNTY, ROMANIA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24193/subbambientum.2019.2.03Keywords:
arsenic, drinking water, exposure assessment, cancer risk estimation, Romania.Abstract
Numerous studies have shown that groundwater is naturally contaminated with arsenic exceeding 10 µg/l in the western and central area of Romania. Arsenic contaminated drinking water is a health hazard; therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the exposure to arsenic in drinking water within a population group. In 2014 we recruited 25 subjects from Covasna County, Romania. Participants completed a questionnaire and we collected water samples from drinking water sources (springs and tap) and nail samples. Arsenic concentrations were determined by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry. Exposure doses and cancer risk were calculated individually for each subject, following a methodology developed by the US Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Arsenic concentrations ranged from 0.5 to 91.8 µg/l, with mean 22.16±37.44 µg/l (mean±SD), in drinking water; and ranged from 0.04 to 100.30 µg/g, with mean 16.90±20.97 µg/g (mean±SD) in nail samples. Exposure doses were above MRL (minimal risk level) for chronic exposure for 3 subjects. Risk estimations predicted a theoretical risk of 5 excess cancer cases in a population of 10,000. Groundwater sources are a potential health hazard for the population in the area, thus due to the limitations of the present study, further studies are needed with extended no of participants and additional individual data.References
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ISSN (online): 2065-9490 | ISSN (print): 1843-3855 | ISSN-L: 2065-9490