Risk Analysis of Carcinogenic and Non-Carcinogenic Effects of Heavy Metals in Groundwater of the Eslamshahr Region

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Environment, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Environmental Engineering, Aras International Campus, University of Tehran, Aras, Iran

3 Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Technical & Engineering, Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin, Iran

Abstract

Objective: Heavy metal compounds in drinking water sources are considered a significant public health concern due to their high toxicity, bioaccumulation potential, and environmental persistence. These contaminants can enter groundwater through various human activities such as industrial operations, agricultural runoff, and improper waste disposal, posing health risks, especially to vulnerable groups like children. Assessing the health risks of heavy metals in drinking water is essential for quantifying potential hazards and planning effective mitigation strategies to protect public health.
Method: This study investigated the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks posed by selected heavy metals, including cadmium, chromium, lead, nickel, and zinc, in the groundwater of Eslamshahr. Concentrations of these metals were measured based on their annual average values as well as seasonal averages over a one-year period. The health risk assessment considered two exposure pathways, ingestion and dermal contact, and included two distinct age groups: children and adults. The aim was to determine the extent of health risks associated with drinking or skin contact with contaminated water in this region.
Results: The findings revealed that among the analyzed metals, cadmium presented the highest non-carcinogenic risk for both children and adults, while zinc showed the lowest level of non-carcinogenic hazard. The hazard index (HI), calculated using the average annual concentrations of metals, was found to be 0.58 for children and 0.30 for adults, both of which are below the threshold value of one. These results indicated that no significant non-carcinogenic health risks were posed to either age group under current exposure conditions. However, the carcinogenic risk assessment showed more concerning results. The lifetime cancer risks (ELCR total) for chromium and lead through ingestion and dermal exposure were calculated to be 6.150×10-5 and 3.131×10-4, respectively. Based on these values, it is estimated that approximately 205 individuals in Eslamshahr could develop cancer annually as a result of exposure to these two metals.
Conclusions: Although the non-carcinogenic risks for both children and adults were found to be within safe limits (HI<1), the potential for carcinogenic effects due to chromium and lead exposure was alarming. These findings highlighted the necessity for implementing advanced groundwater treatment technologies to reduce the concentrations of heavy metals in water intended for drinking or other uses. Additionally, preventive measures, including continuous monitoring of water quality and controlling the entry of pollutants into groundwater, are vital to safeguard the health of the population, particularly that of children, who are more vulnerable to the harmful effects of these contaminants.

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References

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Journal of Environmental Studies
Volume 51, Issue 2
September 2025
Pages 145-164

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