Public health risk associated with the quality of drinking water and food, and the incidence of colorectal cancer

Abstract

Aim to assess the public health risk associated with the quality of drinking water and food in areas with different levels of incidence of colorectal cancer.
 Material and methods. An assessment was made of the carcinogenic risk and the risk of developing general toxic effects due to the intake of xenobiotics with food and drinking water in areas that differ in the incidence of colorectal cancer. To assess the risk, the results of laboratory studies performed as part of the social and hygienic monitoring for the period 2014-2021 were used.
 Results. Priority pollutants (plumbum, arsenic, cadmium, hexachloran, polychlorinated biphenyls) that make the greatest contribution to the carcinogenic risk have been identified. The range of total carcinogenic risk, depending on arsenic compounds, varies in the Arsky district from acceptable to high (from 4.98E-05 to 2.70E-03), in Drozhzhanovsky - from acceptable to alarming (from 6.81E-05 to 2.02E- 04); in Aznakaevsky - from alarming to high (from 1.99E-04 to 2.21E-03). In the Kamsko-Ustyinsky district, the risk is assessed as alarming (from 2.15E-04 to 4.13E-04), in Yutazinsky as high (from 2.91E-03 to 3.39E-03). The total hazard index caused by the intake of nitrates with food and drinking water varies from the minimum in the Arsky district (HI=0.31) to the alarming one in the Kamsko-Ustyinsky district (HI=3.13). A correlation was established between the content of nitrates in drinking water and the incidence of cancer of the rectum, rectosigmoid junction and anus (r=0.587; p=0.002133). The risk of developing non-carcinogenic effects on the part of the gastrointestinal tract, due to the natural characteristics of drinking water sources, is assessed as acceptable in all areas.
 Conclusion. In areas with an increased incidence of colorectal cancer, there are higher levels of carcinogenic health risk due to the intake of xenobiotics with food and drinking water (from alarming to high).