Pollution Characteristics and Health Exposure Risks of Heavy Metals in River Water Affected by Human Activities

Under the influence of human activities, surface water quality has been significantly affected, which threatens human health and sustainability. In order to clarify the potential risks of heavy metal pollution to human health in river water, two tributaries of the Tumen River with significant differences in human activity interference were selected for investigation. Comparative analysis of the contents of chromium (Cr), cuprum (Cu), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and plumbum (Pb) in the surface water of the two tributaries showed that the concentrations of As and Hg in some sampling sites exceeded the pollution standard values, and the Buerhatong River had a higher pollution level. Further analysis of the health risks revealed that the hazard quotient values of Cr, Cu, As, Cd, Hg, and Pb were <1, but the cumulative risk value of the Buerhatong River was higher than 1 for children, indicating adverse effects on human health. The As levels under the fish ingestion scenario had unacceptable carcinogenic risks, while the Cr in the Buerhatong River for adults and Cr and Pb in the Buerhatong River and Hunchun River for children had acceptable carcinogenic risks. Moreover, the As in the incidental water ingestion scenario also had acceptable carcinogenic risks. Therefore, the increase in human activity intensity can promote the increase in the health exposure risk of heavy metals in river water, and fish ingestion was the main exposure pathway, while children had higher exposure risks than adults.

Automated summary

Surface water quality is significantly affected by human activities, posing threats to human health and sustainability. This study investigated the potential risks of heavy metal pollution in river water to human health. The results showed that the concentrations of arsenic and mercury exceeded the pollution standard values, with the Buerhatong River having a higher pollution level. The increase in human activity intensity can promote the health exposure risk of heavy metals in river water, with fish ingestion being the main exposure pathway and children having higher exposure risks than adults.