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Health Risk Assessment in Southern Carpathians Small Rural Communities Using Karst Springs as a Drinking Water Source

Author

Listed:
  • Ana Moldovan

    (INCDO-INOE 2000, Research Institute for Analytical Instrumentation, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
    Faculty of Materials and Environmental Engineering, Technical University, 400641 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

  • Anamaria Iulia Török

    (INCDO-INOE 2000, Research Institute for Analytical Instrumentation, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

  • Ionuț Cornel Mirea

    (Department of Geospeleology and Paleontology, Emil Racovita Institute of Speleology, 050711 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Valer Micle

    (Faculty of Materials and Environmental Engineering, Technical University, 400641 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

  • Oana Teodora Moldovan

    (Cluj-Napoca Department, Emil Racovita Institute of Speleology, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

  • Erika Andrea Levei

    (INCDO-INOE 2000, Research Institute for Analytical Instrumentation, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

Abstract

The chemical quality of waters from eight karst springs from the Southern Carpathians and the health risk of small rural communities using these springs as a drinking water source were assessed. The results indicated that the spring waters in the studied area are chemically suitable to be used as drinking water and pose no health risks for adults and children. The spring water can be generally described as having circumneutral pH, Ca-Mg-HCO 3 − facies, excellent to good palatability, and low trace metal and nitrate content. The variation of chemical parameters between spring and autumn was low. These springs could become appropriate drinking water sources for the neighboring rural communities after the assessment of their microbiological status and, if it is the case, proper water treatment. Moreover, periodic monitoring of the water’s chemical parameters, mostly nitrates, as well as the establishment of a protected area near the springs to prevent the negative impact of anthropogenic sources on water quality is recommended.

Suggested Citation

  • Ana Moldovan & Anamaria Iulia Török & Ionuț Cornel Mirea & Valer Micle & Oana Teodora Moldovan & Erika Andrea Levei, 2021. "Health Risk Assessment in Southern Carpathians Small Rural Communities Using Karst Springs as a Drinking Water Source," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2021:i:1:p:234-:d:711401
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Lorelei Ford & Lalita Bharadwaj & Lianne McLeod & Cheryl Waldner, 2017. "Human Health Risk Assessment Applied to Rural Populations Dependent on Unregulated Drinking Water Sources: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-22, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Petre Bretcan & Danut Tanislav & Cristiana Radulescu & Gheorghe Serban & Serban Danielescu & Michael Reid & Daniel Dunea, 2022. "Evaluation of Shallow Groundwater Quality at Regional Scales Using Adaptive Water Quality Indices," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-30, August.

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