Hazardous exposure of children with heavy metal in a southwestern city of Iran

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to investigate the concentration and risk of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic causes due to skin and drinking exposure with water in 27 points of potable water in Shiraz. The total samples were 162 the studied variables included fluoride and heavy metals (HMs). The results showed that the concentration of all parameters in winter was higher than in summer (p value < 0.05). However, the concentration in this study was lower than the standards of Iran, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the United state environmental protection agency (USEPA). The average fluoride (F⁻) concentration in summer and winter was 462 and 588 µg/L, respectively. The lead concentration in winter (8.91 µg/L) was higher than in summer (5.86 µg/L). So, in 40% of the samples, it was higher than the WHO standard. Zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) concentrations were lower than allowed, and only 70% and 15% of winter samples were above the WHO standard. The chronic daily intake (CDI) for variable was F⁻ > Zn > Cu > Pb > Cr > As > Cd but HQ < 1 for all HMs. The risk of cancer and non-cancer caused by HMs in children due to dermal and drinking exposure has been higher than in other groups. Chromium (Cr) cancer risk (1.84 × 10⁻⁴) in children has been 30 times higher than the allowable limit. The highest risk of non-carcinogenic risk was caused by arsenic in the children group. Overall, the best chemical quality of water was in the centre to the west of the city. So that most of the parameters were in optimal condition. However, cancer and non-cancer risk through drinking have been significant, especially in children.

KEYWORDS:

• Heavy metals
• carcinogenic exposure
• fluoride
• chromium cancer risk

Acknowledgments

This study is M.Sc. thesis in Environmental health engineering and supported by Shiraz University of Medical Sciences with code 10870, Shiraz, Iran.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Shiraz University of Medical Sciences [10870,Tabatabaeei].