Assessment of Arsenic Contamination and Human Health Risk in Water Resources with Mining Influence in Fiji

Abstract

Arsenic mobilisation from anthropogenic sources can have a significant impact on water resources andpose a serious concern to human health. Therefore, the objectives of this investigation were to determinethe levels of arsenic contamination in water resources and evaluate the associated human health risks tothe local residents from a mining environment in Fiji. Concentrations of arsenic were determined at fifteensampling stations located at Dakavono Creek, Lololevu Creek and Nasivi River in the Vatukoula GoldmineRegion over a period of time. Arsenic levels in the water resources ranged from 0.87-43.03 μg l-1, whereby20% of the samples exceeded the drinking water guideline set by the World Health Organisation (10 μg l-1).Concentrations of arsenic did not show significant temporal variations (ANOVA, p > 0.05) however,significant variation (ANOVA, p < 0.05) were observed between the sampling stations. The data werefurther used to assess the health risks of the water for drinking and recreational use. The use of the waterfor drinking (ingestion pathway) and recreational purposes (dermal pathway) showed high non-carcinogenic(hazard index > 1) and carcinogenic (cancer risk > 10-4) health risks with respect to arsenic exposure atseveral sampling stations, particularly in children. Overall, the carcinogenic risk from arsenic exposurethrough the ingestion pathway was much greater than that of dermal pathway for the inhabitants in thestudy area. These findings could assist with the formulation of necessary policies in order to ensure thelong-term management of water resources and mitigate health risks for inhabitants in mining locations ofFiji.