Investigation of physicochemical parameters in drinking water resources and health risk assessment: a case study in NW Iran

Investigation of the quality of drinking water resources in terms of their effect on the human health is a vital issue. This study aimed to study physicochemical parameters in drinking water resources in NW Iran and made an effort to assess the health risk of these parameters. The study was conducted in winter, 2018 on the 16 sampling points in the vicinity of Lake Urmia, NW Iran. Heavy metals (Pb, As, Cd, Ni, Zn, and Cu) and ions (Na+, Ca2+, K+, NO3-, SO42-, and Cl-) were measured by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES) and Ion Chromatography (IC), respectively. Non-carcinogenic risk and carcinogenic risk assessments were carried out by probabilistic approach and Monte Carlo simulation, and were expressed by hazard quotient (HQ) and excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) criteria, respectively. The mean values of pH, turbidity, and temperature and ions were within the permissible limits for drinking water according to the recommended range by World Health Organization (WHO). HQ values indicated a reasonable non-carcinogenic risk for Zn and Ni and unacceptable risks for As, Cd, and NO3-. ELCR levels of As were unacceptably high. Finally, it was concluded that groundwater resources in the studied area did not have an acceptable quality for drinking usages due to the risk posed by As, Cd, and NO3-. Therefore, pollution control through finding contamination sources and water treatment are recommended before the use of water resources for drinking consumption.