Page 83 - {PDF Title}

Water quality and health risks

Table 4 presents the HQ of iron and arsenic across direct health risks, excessive levels can have laxative
the same sampling stations, highlighting variability in effects. Moderately alkaline water can prevent metal
41
potential health hazards for adults and children. HQ pipe corrosion, whereas high alkalinity and hardness
values for iron remain below 1.0 for both ingestion and can adversely affect plumbing systems. A strong
42
dermal contact, indicating minimal health risk. However, positive relationship was observed between alkalinity
HQ values are comparatively higher in children than in and hardness, with hardness exerting a moderate impact
adults, suggesting increased susceptibility. In contrast, on the WQI and contributing more significantly to water
the HQ values for arsenic reveal a concerning trend. pollution. Although chloride levels remain within safe
Samples 1 and 3 exhibit HQ values of 2.03 and 2.93, limits, excessive amounts can impart an unpleasant
respectively, for both adults and children due to salty taste. Low DO values suggest potential oxygen
43
ingestion, placing them in the moderate risk category. depletion, which can accelerate unpleasantness to some
These findings indicate a potential health concern for people and also lead to the corrosion of metal pipes
43
both groups. Conversely, arsenic levels in Samples 2 and and plumbing fixtures. The elevated BOD across
44
4 are undetectable (HQ = 0), indicating no associated all samples indicates severe organic contamination,
5
health risk. In addition, no risk was observed for dermal suggesting the presence of pathogenic microbes capable
exposure to arsenic at any sampling station. Overall, the 45
findings indicate that while iron levels pose minimal of causing waterborne illnesses. As the concentration
health risks across all stations, arsenic contamination in of organic material increases in the water, bacterial
certain stations presents a considerable health hazard, metabolism results in greater oxygen consumption,
43
particularly for children. These findings underscore the raising BOD levels. Similarly, high COD levels
5
necessity for targeted interventions to mitigate arsenic indicate the presence of diverse organic pollutants,
exposure and reduce potential health risks in affected contributing to waterway contamination and further
46
areas. reducing DO levels. Iron concentrations exceeding
permissible levels can result in iron overload, causing
4. Discussion symptoms such as stomach upset, constipation, nausea,
abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. In addition,
47
This study examines the physicochemical and biological iron compounds in water may irritate the skin and
properties of drinking water across four sampling produce oxidative stress, resulting in the production
stations. While high alkalinity and hardness levels of highly reactive oxygen radicals that damage cell
exceeding permissible limits do not necessarily pose membranes and proteins, ultimately compromising

Table 3. Chronic daily intake values for iron and arsenic across different public water point samples
Sample Iron (µg/kg/day) Arsenic (µg/kg/day)
Ingestion Dermal absorption Ingestion Dermal absorption
Adult Children Adult Children Adult Children Adult Children
Sample 1 140 202.4 0.4175995 1.012 0.6086 0.88 0.00073 0.00176
Sample 2 62.69 90.64 0.18701195 0.4532 0 0 0 0
Sample 3 69.38 100.32 0.2069841 0.5016 0.6086 0.88 0.00073 0.00176
Sample 4 27.39 39.6 0.08170425 0.198 0 0 0 0

Table 4. Calculated hazard quotient values for treated and public water point water samples
Sample Iron Arsenic
Ingestion Dermal absorption Ingestion Dermal absorption
Adult Children Adult Children Adult Children Adult Children
Sample 1 0.2 0.29 0.0006 0.001 2.03 2.93 0.002 0.006
Sample 2 0.09 0.13 0.0003 0.0006 0 0 0 0
Sample 3 0.1 0.143 0.0003 0.0007 2.03 2.93 0.002 0.006
Sample 4 0.04 0.06 0.0001 0.0003 0 0 0 0

Volume 22 Issue 1 (2025) 77 doi: 10.36922/ajwep.8163