Human health risk of heavy metal contamination in groundwater and source apportionment

• Published in: International journal of environmental science and technology (Tehran) 2022-08, Vol.19 (8), p.7251-7260
• Main Authors: Iqbal, Z., Abbas, F., Mahmood, A., Ibrahim, M., Gul, M., Yamin, M., Aslam, B., Imtiaz, M., Elahi, N. N., Qureshi, T. I., Sial, G. Z. H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aquatic Pollution; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Science and Engineering; Original Paper; Soil Science & Conservation; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollution Control
• ISSN: 1735-1472; 1735-2630
• DOI: 10.1007/s13762-021-03611-9

The local community residing in vicinity of cities in Pakistan utilizes groundwater for drinking purpose. The peri-urban areas of all cities are under wastewater irrigation, a common practice for vegetable cultivation. The study ascertained the human health risk from consuming heavy metals contaminated groundwater in vicinity of Multan city, Pakistan. Groundwater samples ( n  = 60) from six irrigation sites (four wastewater outlets, one canal and one tube-well water locations) were collected and analyzed for cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni) and lead (Pb) by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Samples of wastewater and soils from each site were also analyzed for the same metals for multivariate statistical analysis. Total target health quotient (TTHQ) of groundwater under wastewater irrigation fields ranged from 1.02 to 2.98 indicating carcinogenic risk to exposed population. TTHQ of groundwater under canal water site was 1.02 in children aged 4–15 years and