Determination of heavy metals concentration in drinking water of rural areas of Divandarreh County, Kurdistan Province: Carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risk assessment

 This study was aimed at the evaluation of heavy metals in the drinking water of the rural area of Divandarreh city and the assessment of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks. 

 In the present work, concentration of four heavy metals in drinking water resource in the rural area of Divandarreh County were evaluated. For these aim, the numbers of 29 samples were collected from rural drinking water resources, and the concentration of heavy metals was determined. In addition, carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic risk assessment was conducted in children and adults as target groups. 

 The level of Cd was higher than the WHO drinking water Standard. The average amount of target hazard quotient for heavy metals through ingestion in children and adults were in the order of Cd > Cr > Pb > Ni. The total hazard quotient hazard quotients (HQ ing + HQ derm) in children group was higher than the limit set by the USEPA (hazard index = 1.68), indicating probable noncarcinogenic risk to this group through consumption of water. 

 Based on the obtained data, the carcinogenic risk for all of the heavy metals were higher than the permissible standard. The obtained data can be useful for managers and the water and wastewater department regarding the improvement of drinking water quality.