Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Health risk assessment of groundwater pollution—A case study of typical city in North China plain

  • Published:
Journal of Earth Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This article presents an application of assessing human health risk in typical city of North China plain. Combined with water quality and multi-element analysis, Pb, Cd, Cr6+, Mn, NO3 −, F−, and As in groundwater samples were chosen to be used for human health risk assessment of drinking water pathway and dermal contact pathway, and results show a good effect. Results indicate that (1) poor water quality is caused by salinity and hardness overstandard; (2) in noncarcinogenic risk, samples that do not pose noncarcinogenic risk only account for 28.46%; in carcinogenic risk, samples that do not pose carcinogenic risk account for 73.08%; (3) the noncarcinogenic risk in the study area decreased in the following order: NO3 −>Mn>As>F−>Cr6+>Cd>Pb and the carcinogenic risk of the study area decreased in the following order: As>Cd=NO3 −=Mn=F−=Cr6+=Cd=Pb=0, because the slop factors were not available for the other pollutants, except for As; and (4) in terms of whole study area, the main contribute order of drinking water pathway and dermal contact pathway in human body is drinking water pathway>dermal contact pathway.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References Cited

  • Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME), 2001. Canada-Wide Standards for Petroleum Hydrocarbons (PHC) in Soil. Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment, Endorsed by CCME Council of Ministers, Winnipeg. 1–8

    Google Scholar 

  • Chenini, I., Ben Mammou, A., Turki, M. M., 2008. Groundwater Resources of a Multi-Layered Aquiferous System in Arid Area: Data Analysis and Water Budgeting. International Journal Environmental Science Technology, 5(3): 361–374

    Google Scholar 

  • Cushman, D. J., Driver, K. S., Ball, S. D., 2001. Risk Assessment for Environmental Contamination: An Overview of the Fundamentals and Application of Risk Assessment at Contaminated Sites. Can. J. Civ. Eng., 28(Suppl. 1): 155–162, doi:10.1139/cjce-28-S1-155

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • de Vries·Ian Simmers, J. J., 2002. Groundwater Recharge: An Overview of Processes and Challenges. Hydrogeology Journal, 10: 5–17, doi:10.1007/s10040-001-0171-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dong, X. Y., Li, J. S., Wu, Z. Y., et al., 2008. Environmental Site Assessment for Brownfield Redevelopment: II. Health Risk Assessment. Environmental Science and Management, 33(1): 187–190 (in Chinese with English Abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Environmental Protection Agency Lead Sites Workgroup (LSW), 2003. Superfund Lead-Contaminated Residential Sites Handbook. Office of Emergency and Remedial Response, OSWER 9285. 7–50: 1–124

    Google Scholar 

  • Han, B., He, J. T., Chen, H. H., et al., 2006. Primary Study of Health-Based Risk Assessment of Organic Pollution in Groundwater. Earth Science Frontiers, 13(1): 224–229 (in Chinese with English Abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hu, E. B., 2000. Practical Technology and Measure of Environmental Risk Assessment. In: Hu, E. B., ed., Practical Technology and Measure of Environmental Risk Assessment. China Environmental Sciences Press, Beijing. 1–482 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Krishnan, K., Paterson, J., Williams, D. T., 1997. Health Risk Assessment of Drinking Water Contaminants in Canada: The Applicability of Mixture Risk Assessment Methods. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, 26: 179–187

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, Y. L., Liu, J. L., Cao, Z. G., et al., 2010. Spatial Distribution and Health Risk of Heavy Metals and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the Water of the Luanhe River Basin, China. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 163: 1–13, doi:10.1007/s10661-009-0811-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, Y. L., Liu, Y. G., Liu, J. L., et al., 2008. Effects of EDTA on Lead Uptake by Typha Oreentalis Presl: A New Lead-Accumulating Species in Southern China. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 81: 36–41, doi:10.1007/s00128-008-9447-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mohammed, A., Xiao, C. L., Du, C., 2008. Groundwater Protection from Cadmium Contamination by Permeable Reactive Barrier in Qian’an of Jilin, China. Global Geology, 11(4): 197–202

    Google Scholar 

  • Morgenstern, R. D., Shih, J. S., Sessions, S. L., 2000. Comparative Risk Assessment: An International Comparison of Methodologies and Results. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 78(3): 19–39

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • National Environmental Protection Council (NEPC), 1999. Guideline on Health Risk Assessment Methodology. National Environment Protection (Assessment of Site Contamination). Schedule B(4): 1–63

    Google Scholar 

  • Pi, Y. Z., Wu, T. B., Yun, G. C., 2001. An Experimental Study on Activated Carbon Adsorption Used in Groundwater Recharge with Municipal Wastewater. China Water & Wastewater, 17(12): 57–60 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Qiu, F. G., Wang, X. C., 2003. Risk Assessment on Health Effects of Viruses in Reused Wastewater in City. Journal of Environment Health, 20(4): 197–199 (in Chinese with English Abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Tian, Q. X., 1999. Uncertainty of Health Risk Assessment and Cancer Risk Assessment. Gansu Environmental Study and Monitoring, 12(4): 202–206 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), 1989. Risk Assessment Guidance for Superfund: Vol. I, Human Health Evaluation Manual (Part A) [Interim Final]. Office of Emergency and Remedial Response, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC. 1–289

    Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1991. Risk Assessment Guidance for Superfund: Vol. I, Human Health Evaluation Manual (Part B, Development of Risk-Based Preliminary Remediation Goals) [Interim]. Office of Emergency and Remedial Response, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC. 1–289

    Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1992a. Guidelines for Exposure Assessment., Risk Assessment Forum U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington DC. Federal Register 57 (104): 22888–22938

    Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1992b. National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (the NCP) with the Preambles of 1988 and 1990 and the New Index of Key Terms. Office of Emergency and Remedial Response, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington DC. 1–212

    Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2003. Recommendations of the Technical Review Workgroup for an Interim Approach to Assessing Risks Associated with Adult Exposure to Lead in Soil. Technical Review Workgroup for Lead, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington DC. 1–62

    Google Scholar 

  • White, P. A., Hung, Y. S., Reeves, R. R., 2003. Long-Term Sustainability of Groundwater Resources: An Approach Using Integrated Hydrogeological and Economic Models. Episodes, 26(2): 119–123

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang, X. S., 1996. Uncertainty of Environmental Risk Assessment and Measurement. Metallic Ore Dressing Abroad, 10: 53–56 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zeng, G. M., Zhuo, L., Zhong, Z. L., et al., 1998. Assessment Models for Water Environmental Health Risk Analysis. Advances in Water Science, 9(3): 212–217 (in Chinese with English Abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhu, K. G., Yang, J. W., 2008. Time-Dependent Magnetometric Resistivity Anomalies of Groundwater Contamination: Synthetic Results from Computational Hydro-Geophysical Modeling. Applied Geophysics, 5(4): 322–330, doi:l0.1007/sll770-008-0041-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Earth Sciences, Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China

    Mei Yang  (杨梅) & Yiwen Ju  (琚宜文)

  2. Institute of Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Shijiazhuang, 050061, China

    Yuhong Fei  (费宇红)

  3. Tianjin Institute of Geology and Mineral Resources, China Geological Survey, Tianjin, 300170, China

    Zhen Ma  (马镇)

  4. Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, 100037, China

    Huaqi Li  (李化启)

Authors
  1. Mei Yang  (杨梅)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Yuhong Fei  (费宇红)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Yiwen Ju  (琚宜文)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Zhen Ma  (马镇)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Huaqi Li  (李化启)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yiwen Ju  (琚宜文).

Additional information

This study was financially supported by the National Science and Technology Major Project (Nos. 2009ZX05039-003, 2009ZX05039-004, and 2011ZX05060-005), the National Program on Key Basic Research Program (No. 2010CB428801-1), and the State-Owned Land Resources Investigation (No. 1212010430351).

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Yang, M., Fei, Y., Ju, Y. et al. Health risk assessment of groundwater pollution—A case study of typical city in North China plain. J. Earth Sci. 23, 335–348 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12583-012-0260-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12583-012-0260-7

Key Words

Search

Navigation