Probabilistic human health risk assessment of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) in water samples from Anzali Wetland, southwest of the Caspian Sea

Abstract

Linear alkyl benzene Sulfonate (LAS) is a major anionic surfactant utilized in detergents around the world and is subsequently a ubiquitous water contaminant. This paper deals with assessing human health risk due to LAS in Anzali Wetland between different age groups. Water samples were collected from 50 stations in the wetland. LAS concentration was determined by spectrophotometry at 650 nm. The risk quotients (RQ) index was used to assess the human health risk assessment of LAS in the wetland. Based on the results, the health risk index was lower than 0.2 in all stations, indicating that there is no LAS contaminant risk for human health in this wetland. However, due to the presence of the different unregulated discharge of wastewater to the wetland, without strong policies to control and management, the risk of contamination may increase in the future.