Human health risk assessment of Triclosan in water: spatial analysis of a drinking water system

Triclosan (TCS) has been increased in the water during the COVID-19 pandemic because it cannot remove by conventional water treatment. In addition, it can accumulate in the human body over time through long-term exposure. Therefore, the occurrence of TCS in the water treatment plant (WTP) and tap water, and its human health risk assessment through tap water ingestion, dermal absorption, and inhalation routes in Isfahan, Iran, were investigated. Moreover, spatial regression methods were used for the prediction of water quality parameters, TCS concentration, and total hazard quotient (HQ). The average TCS concentration in the influent and effluent of WTP and tap water was 1.6, 1.4, and 0.4 mu g/L, respectively. Conventional WTP has low efficiency in the removal of TCS (12.6%) from water. The average values of total HQ for males were 7.79x10(-5), 4.97x10(-4), and 4.97x10(-5) and for females were 3.31x10(-5), 2.11x10(-4), and 2.11x10(-5) based on RfDEPA, RfDMDH, and RfDRodricks, respectively that were in the low-risk levels (HQ < 1). Furthermore, TCS concentration in tap water and the ingestion rate of drinking water had the highest effect on the risk of TCS exposure from tap water. The non-carcinogenic health risk of TCS in water was low. The results of this study may be useful for promoting WTP processes to remove emerging pollutants.

Automated summary

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the presence of Triclosan (TCS) has increased in water as it is not effectively removed by conventional water treatment methods. This study investigated the occurrence of TCS in a water treatment plant and tap water in Isfahan, Iran, as well as the potential health risks associated with TCS exposure through ingestion, dermal absorption, and inhalation. The results showed that the current water treatment processes have low efficiency in removing TCS, but the non-carcinogenic health risks of TCS in water were found to be low.