Assessment of non-carcinogenic health risk of nitrate of groundwater in Kashan, Central Iran

Abstract

ABSTRACT Nitrate has diverse effects and can be metabolized by human enzymes. Penetrating wastewater to water resources is one of the main ways which can increase the concentration of nitrate in drinking water. Nitrate cancause Cyanosis syndrome due to Methemoglobinemia. This investigation is carried to present the results of a non-carcinogenic risk assessment study focusing on 55 groundwater samples collected from Kashan’s wells (Central Iran) during the summer of 2020. Results show that in 1 sample, the nitrate concentration (51.3 mg/L) was exceeded the National Iranian standard and the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline limits. Based on GIS analysis higher concentration of nitrate was observed in the older part of the city, which still uses wastewater injection wells. Results show that the 95th percentile of the simulated nitrate HQ(HQ>1) in the Kashan ground water were 1.9 (37%), 1.44 (20%), 1.11 (2%), and 0.87(percent) for infants, children, teenagers, and adults, respectively. Because of the highest non-carcinogenic risk in the, Infant group it is recommended to mix the drinking water with bottled water to provide the heath of the infant group.