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Pollution Characteristics and Health Exposure Risks of Heavy Metals in River Water Affected by Human Activities

Author

Listed:
  • Qiang Liu

    (Forestry College, Beihua University, Jilin 132013, China)

  • Yan Cheng

    (Jilin Songhuajiang Sanhu National Nature Reserve Administration, Jilin 132013, China)

  • Chunnan Fan

    (Forestry College, Beihua University, Jilin 132013, China)

Abstract

Under the influence of human activities, surface water quality has been significantly affected, which threatens human health and sustainability. In order to clarify the potential risks of heavy metal pollution to human health in river water, two tributaries of the Tumen River with significant differences in human activity interference were selected for investigation. Comparative analysis of the contents of chromium (Cr), cuprum (Cu), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and plumbum (Pb) in the surface water of the two tributaries showed that the concentrations of As and Hg in some sampling sites exceeded the pollution standard values, and the Buerhatong River had a higher pollution level. Further analysis of the health risks revealed that the hazard quotient values of Cr, Cu, As, Cd, Hg, and Pb were <1, but the cumulative risk value of the Buerhatong River was higher than 1 for children, indicating adverse effects on human health. The As levels under the fish ingestion scenario had unacceptable carcinogenic risks, while the Cr in the Buerhatong River for adults and Cr and Pb in the Buerhatong River and Hunchun River for children had acceptable carcinogenic risks. Moreover, the As in the incidental water ingestion scenario also had acceptable carcinogenic risks. Therefore, the increase in human activity intensity can promote the increase in the health exposure risk of heavy metals in river water, and fish ingestion was the main exposure pathway, while children had higher exposure risks than adults.

Suggested Citation

  • Qiang Liu & Yan Cheng & Chunnan Fan, 2023. "Pollution Characteristics and Health Exposure Risks of Heavy Metals in River Water Affected by Human Activities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-14, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:10:p:8389-:d:1152672
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sisira S. Withanachchi & Giorgi Ghambashidze & Ilia Kunchulia & Teo Urushadze & Angelika Ploeger, 2018. "Water Quality in Surface Water: A Preliminary Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination of the Mashavera River, Georgia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-25, March.
    2. Bifeng Hu & Xiaolin Jia & Jie Hu & Dongyun Xu & Fang Xia & Yan Li, 2017. "Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution and Health Risks in the Soil-Plant-Human System in the Yangtze River Delta, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-18, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Daniele Cocca & Manuela Lasagna & Enrico Destefanis & Chiara Bottasso & Domenico Antonio De Luca, 2023. "Human Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals and Nitrates Associated with Oral and Dermal Groundwater Exposure: The Poirino Plateau Case Study (NW Italy)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-19, December.

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