Trace Elements Contamination and Human Health Risk Assessment in Drinking Water from the Agricultural and Pastoral Areas of Bay County, Xinjiang, China.

Muyessar Turdi,Linsheng Yang

doi:10.3390/ijerph13100938

Abstract

Tap water samples were collected from 180 families in four agricultural (KYR: Keyir, KRW: Kariwak, YTR: Yatur, DW: Dawanqi) and two pastoral areas (B: Bulong and Y: Yangchang) in Bay County, Xinjiang, China, and levels of seven trace elements (Cd, Cr, As Ni, Pb, Zn, Se) were analyzed using inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to assess potential health risks. Remarkable spatial variations of contamination were observed. Overall, the health risk was more severe for carcinogenic versus non-carcinogenic pollutants due to heavy metal. The risk index was greater for children overall (Cr > As > Cd and Zn > Se for carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic elements, respectively). The total risk index was greater in agricultural areas (DW > KYR > YTR > KRW > B > Y). Total risk indices were greater where well water was the source versus fountain water; for the latter, the total health risk index was greater versus glacier water. Main health risk factors were Cr and As in DW, KYR, YTR, KRW, and B, and Zn, Cr, and As in the Y region. Overall, total trace element–induced health risk (including for DW adults) was higher than acceptable (10−6) and lower than priority risk levels (10−4) (KYR, YTR, KRW, Y, and B). For DW children, total health risk reached 1.08 × 10−4, higher than acceptable and priority risk levels (10−4).

Highlights

Trace elements exist widely in specific concentrations in the natural environment [1]
Essential trace elements are critical for life processes and sustainability, they are only needed at the trace level [4]
All trace elements were detected in tap water, and the concentrations varied greatly

Summary

Introduction

Trace elements exist widely in specific concentrations in the natural environment [1]. Pollution from trace elements has become the main source of global environmental pollution. Their emission into the environment is harmful to ecosystems, and poses a threat to human health because of refractory characteristics of bioaccumulation [3]. Excess intake of essential trace elements in drinking water may lead to adverse health effects [5,6]. Elements such as cadmium, chromium, arsenic, and lead have significant biological toxicity and are harmful to human health [7,8,9], for example. Chromium is one of the trace elements with the strongest biological toxicity, and

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion