Evaluation of potential human health risk and investigation of drinking water quality in Isparta city center (Turkey)

Trends, Issues and Future Directions of Urban Health Impact Assessment Research: A Systematic Review and Bibliometric Analysis

Health impact assessment (HIA) has been regarded as an important means and tool for urban planning to promote public health and further promote the integration of health concept. This paper aimed to help scientifically to understand the current situation of urban HIA research, analyze its discipline co-occurrence, publication characteristics, partnership, influence, keyword co-occurrence, co-citation, and structural variation. Based on the ISI Web database, this paper used a bibliometric method to analyze 2215 articles related to urban HIA published from 2012 to 2021. We found that the main research directions in the field were Environmental Sciences and Public Environmental Occupational Health; China contributed most articles, the Tehran University of Medical Sciences was the most influential institution, Science of the Total Environment was the most influential journal, Yousefi M was the most influential author. The main hotspots include health risk assessment, source appointment, contamination, exposure, particulate matter, heavy metals and urban soils in 2012–2021; road dust, source apposition, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, air pollution, urban topsoil and the north China plain were always hot research topics in 2012–2021, drinking water and water quality became research topics of great concern in 2017–2021. There were 25 articles with strong transformation potential during 2020–2021, but most papers carried out research on the health risk assessment of toxic elements in soil and dust. Finally, we also discussed the limitations of this paper and the direction of bibliometric analysis of urban HIA in the future.

Health Risk of the Shallow Groundwater and Its Suitability for Drinking Purpose in Tongchuan, China

Studying the quality and health risks of groundwater is of great significance for sustainable water resources utilization, especially in arid and semi-arid areas around the world. The current study is carried out to evaluate the quality and potential health risks of groundwater in the Tongchuan area on the Loess Plateau, northwest China. Water quality index (WQI) and hydrochemical correlation analysis were implemented to understand the status of groundwater quality. Daily average exposure dosages through the oral and dermal contact exposure pathways were taken into consideration to calculate the health risks to the human body. Additionally, graphical approaches such as Piper diagram, Durov diagram and GIS mapping were used to help better understand the results of this study. The WQI approach showed that 77.1% of the samples were of excellent quality. The most significant parameters affecting water quality were NO3−, F−, and Cr6+. The health risk assessment results showed that 27.1% and 54.2% of the samples lead to non-carcinogenic risks through oral intake for adults and children, respectively. In contrast, 12.5% of the groundwater samples would result in carcinogenic risks to the residents. This study showed that the WQI method needs to be supplemented by a health risk evaluation to obtain comprehensive results for groundwater quality protection and management in the Tongchuan area.

Evaluation of sustainable groundwater utilization using index methods (WQI and IWQI), multivariate analysis, and GIS: the case of Akşehir District (Konya/Turkey)

Akşehir district is one of the regions where significant agricultural production and industrial activities are carried out. Groundwater is the most important water resource in this region used for different purposes, especially for drinking and irrigation water. In order to ensure sustainable water management in the study area, it is necessary to reveal the drinking and irrigation water quality of groundwater and to take precautions and determine the management plans. In the present study, groundwater quality was evaluated using water quality index methods (WQI and IWQI) and statistical analyses to determine the sustainable and most appropriate usage of groundwater. In addition, spatial distribution maps were prepared using GIS for drinking and irrigation WQI assessments of the groundwater. A total of 31 groundwater samples were collected from wells in October 2018 and physicochemical analysis results were evaluated. According to the results obtained with the WQI method, all groundwater samples in the study area are definitely not suitable for use as drinking water. According to the results obtained by the IWQI method, samples S23, S24, S25, S27, S28, S29, and S31 especially are not suitable for use as irrigation water. Statistical evaluations support the results obtained from WQI and IWQI methods. Also, factor analysis indicates that anthropogenic pollution, especially agricultural applications, is effective on the chemical and quality characteristics of groundwater samples in addition to the geological properties. As seen in the spatial distribution maps for WQI and IWQI results, while the quality of groundwaters around Doğruözü and Erdoğdu is not suitable for drinking water, the groundwater quality in the north-east of the study area is also unusable for irrigation water. Consequently, the use of groundwater in the region as drinking water can be dangerous for human health and alternative drinking water resources should be investigated. In addition, in order to ensure the sustainable use of groundwater, it is necessary to control agricultural activities in the region, to monitor the use of pesticides and fertilizers, and to encourage organic farming practices in the region.

Meta-analysis and risk assessment of fluoride contamination in groundwater

This study aimed to carry out a systematic review of meta-analysis and risk assessment of the global pooled concentration of fluoride and identify the influencing factors of fluoride loads in groundwater. The study extracted data from 36 most prevalent regions of 20 countries in the world through various search engines using keywords as well as Boolean operators and follows the PRISMA statement in every phase of literature searching. The study illustrated the pooled concentration of fluoride in the selected 20 countries was 2.1267 mg/L (1.650, 2.604) at 95% confidence interval, which was higher than the WHO standards limit of 1.5 mg/L. The results of the meta-analysis suggested that pH, Na, HCO₃ and rainfall was significantly positively correlated (r = ~0.4; p ˂ 0.05) to fluoride and has a weak correction with the other parameters such as local temperature, altitude, water depth, EC, Ca, and Mg (r = -0.064 to +0.214; p ˂ 0.05). Concerning, the risk assessment through oral and dermal route exposure revealed that the consumers in most of the regions were at considerable risk, and the children were more vulnerable than the adults (THQ > 1). The study findings would help to take measures for safe water supply in the affected areas. PRACTITIONER POINTS: The calculated pooled concentration of fluoride was 2.1267 mg/L (1.650, 2.604) at 95% CI in groundwater of the study areas. Climatic conditions and lithological composition are the key controlling factors for groundwater fluoride contamination. Semi-arid and arid regions are significantly affected by fluoride rather than humid areas. Regarding fluorosis in selected regions, children (78%) are more vulnerable than adults (23%).

Assessment of groundwater quality and usability of Salda Lake Basin (Burdur/Turkey) and health risk related to arsenic pollution

PURPOSE

In this study the aim was to analyze the seasonal concentration, groundwater quality, usage areas and arsenic-related health risk of major ions and heavy metals in groundwater samples collected from the Salda Lake basin.

METHODS

In this study, 42 groundwater samples were collected from springs and wells in dry and wet seasons in 2015. Hydrogeochemical evaluations were made using different diagrams such as Piper and Gibbs diagrams. Groundwater quality was determined by the water quality index method (WQI) and different diagrams. Finally, health risk assessments related to arsenic were performed.

RESULTS

The dominant water types are Mg-Ca-HCO3 and Mg-HCO3 in the wet season and Mg-HCO3 and Mg-HCO3-CO3 in the dry season. According to calculated WQI values ranged from 24.14 to 56.93 in the wet season ranged from 25.27 to 145.87 in dry season. This situation indicates that the quality of water samples is mostly good both seasons. AsT concentrations were between 2.1-6.3 μg/L in the dry season and 2.9-10.5 μg/L in the wet season. The risk of developing cancer due to arsenic exposure in healthy adults or children is very low. But arsenic has high non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic potentially harmful effect in the study area. In addition, water samples are not appropriate for use as drinking water in terms of fertilizers and trace element concentrations. Also, MH will be an important problem in waters that will be used as irrigation water. The use of some samples is not recommended as it may cause crusting on metal surfaces in industrial areas.

CONCLUSIONS

According to the results obtained, the quality of groundwater in the study area should be monitored and the usage areas should be determined accordingly.

Effects of industrialization on groundwater quality in Shagamu and Ota industrial areas of Ogun state, Nigeria

In recent years, there has been an increasing ecological and global public health concern associated with environmental contamination by heavy metals on groundwater resources especially in the developing countries. Hence, this study assessed the impacts of industrialization on the quality of groundwater in Shagamu and Ota industrial areas of Ogun State, Nigeria between the period of July and December 2018, covering both wet and dry season. A total of 80 samples was collected from the industrial areas while a total of four control samples was also collected from the residential areas of the study locations across both wet and dry season using a random sampling technique. The water samples were then analyzed in the laboratory for their physico-chemical parameters (using standard procedures) and heavy metals using the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The results were evaluated for descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS for Windows version 20.0. The mean range of values for the measured parameters was: pH (4.35-9.42), EC (18.50-684.0 μScm-1), hardness (3.83-396.06 mg/L), Ca2+ (0.18-138.75 mg/L) and that of heavy metals concentrations in the water sample were: Pb (0.003-0.199 mg/L), Cd (0.002-0.013 mg/L), Ni (0.004-0.259 mg/L), Cr (0.002-0.54 mg/L), Mn (0.015-1.940 mg/L), Fe (0.02-2.01 mg/L), Cu (0.012-0.72 mg/L), Zn (0.004-0.500 mg/L). A comparison of the obtained results with the World Health Organization standards (for drinking water) revealed that the levels of pH, Ca, Pb, Ni, Mn, Fe, Cd, and Cr were higher than the prescribed values. It was observed that groundwater sources for the dry season in both Ota and Shagamu have higher heavy metal concentrations that are above the permissible limits than the wet season, implying that more industrial activities were probably conducted during the dry season under the sampling period. The result of the heavy metals was in the magnitude according to the trend Fe > Mn > Cu > Cr > Zn > Ni > Pb > Cd. This study revealed that these industrialized areas contained high concentrations of heavy metals which can cause health disorders and behavioral defects. Thus, the water in the study locations is not suitable for consumption without prior treatment. It is therefore, recommends that the water in the study locations should be treated before were used for various domestic purposes, and the construction of the boreholes and dug wells are proposed here to follow proper siting regulations.

Qualitative and health-related evaluation of point-of-use water treatment equipment performance in three cities of Iran

BACKGROUND

Application of the point-of-use water treatment (POU-WT) systems has consistently increased during the last decade in Iran. In this study, the qualitative performances of reverse osmosis-based POU devices in selected cities of Iran were investigated.

METHODS

This applied- descriptive study was conducted in three cities of Tehran, Rasht, and Ahvaz in 2016 (selected based on the level of POU devices sale index in three phases). After choosing the most popular five brands of six stages POU devices, 360 water sampling zones and POU consumer households of the selected cities were measured. Also, the awareness of the consumers about POU-WT systems selection and performance was investigated through a designed questionnaire.

RESULTS

The qualitative parameters in the three cities were acceptable (p < 0.05) for tap water (except for EC in Ahvaz), the output water were as follows: pH = 6.05-7.5, EC = 49.8-58.2 μs/cm, TOC = 0.01-0.23 mg/L and Nitrate = 0.52-4.5 mg/LNO₃ (lower or within the range of regulatory limits), Total Hardness = 33-41.5 mg/L and Fluoride = 0.01-0.23 mg/L (which were lower than the admissible limit, with p < 0.05), HPC values were in the range of 543-676 CFU/mL, which exceeded the regulatory level. Results of ANOVA analysis showed significant differences between the selected cities. The results of the questionnaire survey showed that the dissatisfaction of tap water quality and health-related concerns were the two main reasons for household POU-WT systems; awareness levels of 64% of these households about the performances of their POU systems were weak. Also, social media were mostly used by POU-WT users for brand selected.

CONCLUSION

Based on the results of the tap-water quality application of POU-WT systems are not recommended in Tehran and Rasht, and regarding the outputs of these systems, side effects of softened water, lack of Fluoride and a remarkable increase of the number of bacteria should be considered. In Ahvaz, application of POU-WT systems can decrease the health-related problems and it is necessary to increase the access to read POU-WT efficiency information for the consumers.

Hydrogeochemistry, water quality and health risk assessment of water resources contaminated by agricultural activities in Korkuteli (Antalya, Turkey) district center

Groundwater is a major water source for drinking, domestic and agricultural activities in the Korkuteli district. However, the intensive agricultural activities in the region negatively affect the groundwater quality. In this study, 30 water samples were collected from springs, wells, and tap waters in dry and wet seasons. Ca-Mg-HCO₃ and Mg-Ca-HCO₃ were dominant water types in the study area. According to the Gibbs diagrams, which were prepared to determine the mechanism controlling the groundwater geochemistry, samples from both seasons fell in the rock-dominance zone. The water quality index indicates the increase of ion concentrations due to the agricultural effect along with the rainwater in the region. Also, according to WHO standards, water samples are not appropriate to use as drinking water in terms of the heavy metal and fertilizers analysis results. In terms of the irrigation usage, most groundwater samples are suitable in dry and wet seasons. According to HCO₃ and SO₄ results, the mentioned samples can induce incrustation on metal surfaces and therefore are not recommended for industrial use. Groundwater chemistry in the study area is affected with water-rock interaction and dense agricultural activities. In conclusion, the study area is at high risk in terms of the health risk assessment.

Effect on human health of the arsenic pollution and hydrogeochemistry of the Yazır Lake wetland (Çavdır-Burdur/Turkey)

In this study, the physicochemical parameters, major ions and arsenic (As) contents of water resources in the Yazır lake wetland, were evaluated. In addition, water resources in this region were investigated from the point of water quality and health risk assessment. Thirty water samples were collected from the area in dry and wet seasons. Ca-Mg-HCO₃ and Ca-HCO₃ were the dominant water types. The Gibbs diagram suggests that most of the samples fall in rock-dominance zone, which indicates the groundwater interaction between rock chemistry. When compared to drinking water guidelines established by World Health Organization and Turkey, much greater attention should be paid to As, Fe, and Mn through varied chemicals above the critical values. According to the pH-ORP diagram, the predominant species is arsenate (H₂AsO₄^-2). The high concentrations of As in the surface water and groundwater are related to oxidative and reductive dissolution reaction of Fe and Mn hydroxides within the Kızılcadağ ophiolite and melange. In addition, the seasonal changes in As concentrations depend on the increase in pH of water samples. The major toxic and carcinogenic chemical within water samples is As for groundwater and surface water. From the results of hazard index, it is verified that As which is taken by ingestion of water was the main contaminant, and toxic human risk in the study area. The obtained results will help define strategies for As problems in the water resources in future.

Assessment of drinking water suitability in low income rural areas: a case study in Sixaola, Costa Rica

Vegas-Las Palmas is a rural settlement located in the southern Caribbean region of Costa Rica on the border with Panama. Its population does not have access to potable water, and inhabitants depend on water from wells at the water table level to meet their needs. These wells lack basic infrastructure to protect this water from contamination. In this study, water quality was evaluated at 12 wells from 2014 to 2016 (n = 72). The results revealed high concentrations of faecal coliforms and Escherichia coli with maximum values of 4.6 × 10⁴ MPN/100 mL and 1.1 × 10⁴ MPN/100 mL, respectively. In addition, maximum values of pH, conductivity, turbidity, Ca, Mg, K, Fe, Mn, Cd and Pb were found to be outside the standard limits (nationally and internationally) for potable water. Possible sources of water contamination are associated with the geomorphological characteristics of the area, as well as with hydrometeorological and anthropogenic factors such as the lack of sewerage, the presence of latrines, animals near the wells and the use of agrochemicals. The water quality was heterogeneous among wells, and all of them were found to have conditions that caused water to be unfit for human consumption.

Assessment of trace elements in terminal tap water of Hunan Province, South China, and the potential health risks

A total of 116 terminal tap water (TTW) samples from Xiangjiang, Zijiang, Yuanjiang, and Lishui river basins of Hunan province were collected and concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Pb, Mn, Zn, Fe, Al, and Cu were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The results showed that 10% of the water samples exceeded the limit level of Cd established by World Health Organization (WHO) of 0.003 mg L^-1. Three percent of the samples had Fe level and 1% had As level above the WHO limits of 0.3 and 0.01 mg L^-1, respectively. Multivariate statistic approach (cluster analysis and principal component analysis) results revealed that anthropogenic activities and pipeline corrosion were major sources of TTW contamination in Hunan province. The individual and total hazard quotient values estimated by deterministic and probabilistic approaches were both less than 1. However, the mean cancer risk values of Cd were 2.2 × 10^-4 and 1.4 × 10^-4 for Xiangjiang and Yuanjiang river basin, respectively, both greater than 10^-4. The 95th percentile value of cancer risk for Cr was slightly greater than 10^-4 in Xiangjiang river basins. Long-term exposure to Cd and Cr through tap water consumption poses moderate carcinogenic health risks to the local residents.

Assessment of groundwater quality and health risk in drinking water basin using GIS

Eğirdir Lake basin was selected as the study area because the lake is the second largest freshwater lake in Turkey and groundwater in the basin is used as drinking water. In the present study, 29 groundwater samples were collected and analyzed for physico-chemical parameters to determine the hydrochemical characteristics, groundwater quality, and human health risk in the study area. The dominant ions are Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, HCO₃^2-, and SO₄². According to Gibbs plot, the predominant samples fall in the rock-water interaction field. A groundwater quality index (WQI) reveals that the majority of the samples falls under good to excellent category of water, suggesting that the groundwater is suitable for drinking and other domestic uses. The Ca-Mg-HCO₃, Ca-HCO₃, Ca-SO₄-HCO₃, and Ca-Mg-HCO₃-SO₄ water types are the dominant water types depending on the water-rock interaction in the investigation area. Risk of metals to human health was then evaluated using hazard quotients (HQ) by ingestion and dermal pathways for adults and children. It was indicated that As with HQ ingestion >1 was the most important pollutant leading to non-carcinogenic concerns. It can be concluded that the highest contributors to chronic risks were As and Cr for both adults and children.