Determination of Heavy Metals in the Groundwater of the Huaibei Plain, China, to Characterize Potential Effects on Human Health

Groundwater was collected in drinking water sources from the Huaibei Plain and Cu, Cd, Mn, As, Pb, and Zn were determined and compared with permissible levels set by the People's Republic of China groundwater quality (GB/T14848-93). The potential health risks of heavy metals to the local residents by oral and dermal contact pathways were studied. The results indicate that the concentrations of Cu, Cd, As, Pb, and Zn were lower than their respective permissible limits, whereas the concentration of Mn in some samples was higher than its permissible limits. Both noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risks are mainly attributed to the oral pathway. The noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risks of the study area for heavy metals were As>Cd>Mn>Pb>Cu>Zn and As>Cd=Mn=Pb=Cu=Zn=0, respectively. Sustainable and appropriate treatment technologies should be implemented to remove or reduce the concentration of arsenic in potable groundwater of the Huaibei Plain.