Effect of domestic sewage wastewater irrigation on nutritional and nutraceutical perspectives of Eleusine coracana and Zea mays (raw and processed) from selected semi-urban and rural areas of Coimbatore,Tamil Nadu

Abstract

Rapid growth of the urban population, particularly in developing countries, places an enormous pressure on water. Sewage farming is common in all urban areas in India. This study is an attempt to evaluate the effect of diluted sewage wastewater irrigation on cultivation of Eleusine coracana and Zea mays from selected semi-urban and rural areas of Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. For this, parameters analyzed were water/soil quality, crop quality, and mineral analysis including heavy metal composition and in vitro antioxidant potential. From the results, the physicochemical parameters of both rural and semi-urban wastewater samples are within the permissible limits according to the WHO. In mineral analysis, the heavy metals such as Pb, Fe, and Zn are high in all samples and Ni, Cr, and Cu are within the permissible limits in rural samples but slightly high in semi-urban samples. The proximate composition provides general overview of the nutritional value of a food. E. coracana and Z. mays samples collected from rural area show adequate mineral profile required for growth and nutrition. Both the samples show significant antioxidant values significant at p < 0.05. The results demonstrated that the diluted sewage wastewater has physicochemical properties for safe irrigation. Micronutrient and heavy metal contents in the plant samples were not extremely high and were within the range of FAO/WHO standards.     

Physico-chemical and Water Quality Index analysis of the Okhuaihe River,Edo State,Nigeria

The water quality of the Okhuaihe River, Edo State, Nigeria was investigated from February to June 2016 to determine its suitability for drinking and other domestic purposes. Water samples collected from three stations were tested for fifteen physico-chemical parameters using standard analytical procedures. Biochemical oxygen demand and sodium were significantly different across the three stations. Except for calcium and iron, all other parameters were within the permissible limits recommended by the Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ) and World Health Organization (WHO). Water Quality Index (WQI) values ranged from 9.17 to 10.40, indicating excellent water quality. Although the quality of the water from the Okhuaihe River is suitable for drinking and domestic usage, regular monitoring of human activities along the water front and control of effluents discharged into the river is recommended to sustain and improve water quality.     

Assessment of uranium concentration in the drinking water and associated health risks in Eastern Haryana,India

Quantification of uranium in drinking water has great significance considering its effects on human health. Drinking water samples collected from different sources, viz., hand pumps, tube-wells, and public water supply from Sonipat and Panipat districts of Haryana, India have been analyzed for uranium and other physico-chemical parameters. Uranium concentration in water samples was measured using Pulsed LED Fluorimeter. Uranium concentration in collected water samples ranges from 9.1 to 155.1 µg/L in Sonipat district and 14.9 to 123.3 µg/L in Panipat district. It was inferred from the data that uranium concentration in some water samples was higher than WHO &; USEPA recommended limit of 30 µg/L. The mean cancer risk due to uranium in drinking water in Sonipat and Panipat districts was found to be 1.40 × 10^?4 and 1.63 × 10^?4, respectively, which is lower than the maximum permissible limit (<10^?3). Total Dissolve Salts (TDS) in water samples of some villages in Sonipat district was higher than permissible limits for drinking prescribed by WHO &; BIS.     

Water quality assessment of the Siluko River,southern Nigeria

The water quality of the Siluko River, Edo State, Nigeria was investigated from March to August 2015 to determine its suitability for drinking and usage for domestic purposes. Water samples collected from three stations were tested for thirteen physico-chemical parameters using standard analytical procedures. Temperature, phosphate and chloride were significantly different across the three stations. All other parameters, with the exception of turbidity, dissolved oxygen and phosphate, were within the permissible limits recommended by the Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ) and World Health Organization (WHO). Water Quality Index (WQI) values ranged from 11.24 to 16.15, indicating excellent water quality. While the quality of the water from the Siluko River is suitable for drinking and domestic usage, to prevent future deterioration of the water, it is recommended that the regulating authorities monitor effluents discharged into the river from human activities.     

Spatial distribution and seasonal variation in fluoride enrichment in groundwater and its associated human health risk assessment in Telangana State,South India

Groundwater is a vital source of drinking water in Siddipet rural and urban regions of Central Telangana, South India and it is a major cause of fluoride toxicity in humans. The intake of elevated fluoride has a significant impact on human health, especially immediate problems that are seen in children's teeth. The primary aim of the study was to identify the seasonal variation in fluoride concentration and associated health risks in the residents of the study region. To assess the fluoride contamination in groundwater, a total of 158 samples were analyzed in two seasons. The mean concentrations of fluoride 1.26 mg/L and 2.21 mg/L were 1.46 and 2.8 times higher than the acceptable limit of 1.5 mg/L, before and after monsoon respectively. To estimate the human health risks due to the ingestion of elevated fluoride through drinking water, hazard quotient fluoride (HQ_Fluoride) was calculated using the United States Environmental Protection Agency method. HQ_Fluoride values were 0.44–2.44 and 0.89–4.67 for children, 0.36–2.00 and 0.73–3.82 for females, and 0.41–2.26 and 0.82–4.31 for males in pre- and post-monsoon seasons respectively, suggesting emphatically greater risk than the acceptable limits (HQ_Fluoride > 1), which generates health risks.     

Concentration of arsenic in groundwater,vegetables, human hair and nails in mining site in the Northern Thai Nguyen province,Vietnam: human exposure and risks assessment

This study was aimed to examine the risk of chronic arsenic (As) exposure for the residents living in Nui Phao, Thai Nguyen in the northern Vietnam. Groundwater, vegetables, human hair, and nail samples were collected from volunteers living in Nui Phao. The results revealed that 75% of the groundwater samples had As exceeding the World Health Organization (WHO) drinking water guideline of 10 µg L^?1. The result of As concentration for most of the vegetable samples was greater than the WHO/FAO safe (0.1?mg kg^?1). The result of hair and nail samples in this study showed that 3.5 and 20% of the samples had As concentration exceeding the level of As toxicity in hair and nails, respectively. The result of health risks indicated that the potential health risk of As contamination is greater for groundwater than vegetables. The total hazard quotient (HQ) value through vegetables ingestion and drinking water exceeded 1.0 suggesting potential health risk for local residents. The calculation of potential carcinogenic risk through both consumption of vegetables and drinking water was low cancer risk in adults. Other food sources and the exposure pathways are needed to exactly assess health risks in this area.     

Zoonotic enteric parasites in Mongolian people,animals, and the environment: Using One Health to address shared pathogens

BackgroundCryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis are important zoonotic enteric pathogens of One Health concern for humans, animals, and the environment. For this study, we investigated parasite prevalence and risk factors among rural, peri-urban, and urban households and environments of Mongolia.MethodsThis cross-sectional study implemented a household risk factor survey at 250 home sites along with sample collection from humans, animals, flies, and drinking water. Multiplex real-time PCR analysis was conducted to look for Cryptosporidium spp. and/or Giardia duodenalis within household samples.ResultsLab analysis found one or both zoonotic parasites at 20% of the participating households (51/250). Human samples had a parasite prevalence of 6.4% (27/419), domestic animals at 3.3% (19/570), pooled filth flies at 14.8% (17/115), and drinking water samples at 2% (5/250). Parasite presence at the household was significantly associated with a household’s use of an improved drinking water source (OR 0.27; CI 0.12–0.61; p = < 0.01), having an indoor handwashing site (OR 0.41; CI 0.19–0.92; p = 0.03), domestic animal ownership (OR 2.40; CI 1.02–5.65; p = 0.05), and rural location (OR 0.50; CI 0.25–0.98; p = 0.04). Household use of an improved drinking water source remained significant in the multivariate model (OR 0.16; CI 0.04–0.68; p = 0.01).ConclusionIn Mongolia, public and veterinary health are intertwined, particularly for rural herding households. Increased access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure could help prevent further transmission of zoonotic enteric parasites. Public health interventions, policy and messaging should utilize a One Health framework employing joint leadership from local human and animal health sectors.     

Health-risk assessment related to the fluoride,nitrate, and nitrite in the drinking water in the Sanandaj,Kurdistan County,Iran

The concentration of fluoride and nitrate in groundwater is usually higher than that of surface water. The main objective of this study was to estimate the health-risk assessment associated with fluoride, nitrate, and nitrite in drinking water in Sanandaj and its villages. The number of samples in the Sanandaj and its rural was 106. The average concentration of fluoride in urban and rural drinking water was 0.22 mg/l and 0.27 mg/l, respectively. Fluoride concentration was also close to urban and rural drinking water. The concentration of nitrate in urban and rural drinking water was in the range between 0.28–27.77 mg/l and 1.28–80 mg/l, respectively. The concentration of nitrate reported in rural samples was higher than that of urban samples. The maximum concentration of nitrate reported in this study was 80 mg/l. The mean CDI for nitrate in the men, women, and children was 0.4258, 0.5110, and 1.1454, respectively. The findings of this study indicated that all three groups studied were exposed to nitrate contact hazards (HQ > 1). Therefore, the HQ in each of the three groups was higher than 1, which should be carefully monitored and necessary measures should be performed.     

Nitrate associated health risks from groundwater of Kadava River Basin Nashik,Maharashtra, India

Abstract

The present study was carried out to evaluate the nitrate contamination in groundwater and ascertain the associated health risks to rural populations in the agricultural area of the Kadava River basin. A total of (80) eighty representative samples from rural habitat located in agricultural fields were collected during pre- and postmonsoon seasons of 2011, which are mainly used for drinking and irrigation. The chemical results confirm that, 52.5 and 65% groundwater samples from pre- and postmonsoon season are unfit for drinking because of high nitrate contents exceeding the limit of nitrate (>45?mg L^?1) recommended by the BIS. The oral and dermal exposure pathways were calculated for different age group based on US EPA and ICMR standards. HQ₁ is much higher than the critical limit of 1 which increases the risk from 92.5 to 95% groundwater samples, while value of HQ₂ is far below to the critical value of 1; hence, all age groups free from risk. THQ values depicts that, children were at greater risk followed by infants and adults. Therefore, it is immensely important to regulate the use of nitrogen complex fertilizer and groundwater management practices should be implemented to prevent the associated risks to human health.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) concentration levels,pattern, source identification,and human risk assessment in foliar dust from urban to rural areas in Nanjing,China

Environmental health is an essential component of quality of life in modern societies. Foliar dust contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that may have harmful effects on human health. The PAHs concentration of foliar dust is useful to assess environmental air pollution. Our results indicate that: (1) the highest levels of PAHs were distributed in urban areas, with a mean of 3430.23 ng·g^?1, lower mean concentrations were found in suburban (2282.12 ng·g^?1), and rural areas (1671.06 ng·g^?1). (2) Diagnostic ratios and principal component analysis were used to identify the sources of PAHs: Gasoline vehicle traffic emissions were the predominant source in urban areas, along with coal and coke combustion. In suburban areas, the main sources were petroleum combustion (especially liquid fossil fuels) and coal combustion. Coal and wood combustion were the primary source of PAHs in foliar dust in rural areas. (3) The incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR), estimated based on the results of this study indicate that urban residents were potentially exposed to high cancer risk via both dust ingestion and dermal contact. We conclude that urbanization has significant effects on the PAH concentrations of foliar dust, illustrating the importance of trees in improving air quality in urban areas.     

N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in Food and Beverages: A Comparison in Context to Drinking Water

Human exposure to N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) from foods and beverages was modeled and upper-bound cancer risks were predicted for the United States and Canada. Approximately 0.5 (0–10.8) cancer incidents per million population from lifetime exposure to NDMA in drinking water were estimated. Lifetime exposure to NDMA from the major exogenous sources may result in 49.6 (range: 17.7–171.7) cancer incidents per million population, while meat products contribute the most (15.9/million) followed by milk products (10.9/million). Drinking water may contribute approximately 1% to the exogenous cancer risk and holds the 10th position among 10 exogenous sources. The sum of the cancer risks from the major exogenous sources (e.g., 49.6/million) is higher than the permissible limits (1–10/million) of several regulatory agencies. Thus, NDMA in exogenous sources can pose a significant source for cancer risk. Cancer risk from the exogenous sources was estimated to be much lower than that of the NDMA in the endogenous source (<1%).     

Heavy metal contamination of water and fish in peri-urban dams around Bulawayo,Zimbabwe

Urban effluents are significant sources of heavy metal pollution in fresh water. Metal contamination in dams around the city of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, were monitored during October 2014 to assess ecological and public health risks. Heavy metals were measured in water, sediment and fish in dams located downstream of effluent discharge zones in Bulawayo and were compared to those in a pristine upstream dam. Water conductivity indicated pollution of downstream dams. Levels of lead (0.13–0.28 ppm) and cadmium (0.02–0.06 ppm) in water from downstream dams exceeded WHO safe limits for drinking water. Cadmium levels in polluted dams also exceeded the safe limit for agricultural use. Sediments of effluent-polluted dams had metal contamination factors ranging from 8.8 to 31.2 relative to the control, and fish from the dams had higher metal content and were unfit for human consumption. Metal levels were also measured along an urban stream to establish the sources of metals. The city’s industrial zone had the highest levels of metals, suggesting that industrial effluents were major sources of contamination. The environmental consequences and human health risks of the pollution of peri-urban water bodies from urban effluents are discussed.     

Evaluation of groundwater contamination for fluoride and nitrate in semi-arid region of Nirmal Province,South India: A special emphasis on human health risk assessment (HHRA)

The main aim of this study was to assess the groundwater quality and human health risks of fluoride and nitrate contamination in Nirmal Province, South India, where groundwater is the primary source for drinking water. Hazard quotient (HQ) and total hazard index (THI) were calculated to estimate the non-carcinogenic risk to men, women, and children using the most substantial method recommended by United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). The results of the study reveal that 26% and 20.59% of groundwater samples have significantly high nitrate and fluoride concentrations, exceeding the maximum permissible limits set by Bureau of Indian Standards (45 mg/L and 1.5 mg/L, respectively). Therefore, ingestion of high fluoride and nitrate water could be the chief reason for health risk in the study region. The total non-carcinogenic health risks for men, women, and children ranged from 2.95E?01 to 4.07E+00, 3.49E?01 to 4.80E+00, and 3.99E?01 to 5.50E+00, respectively. Moreover, 67.65%, 79.41%, and 82.35% of the total collected groundwater samples exceeded the permissible limit for acceptable total health index (THI = 1) for men, women, and children, respectively. Therefore, the health risk assessment suggests that children face higher health risk than men and women in the study region.     

Assessing groundwater quality and health risks of fluoride pollution in the Shasler Vagu (SV) watershed of Nalgonda,India

Abstract

The principal objectives of this study were to evaluate groundwater quality and human health risks of fluoride contamination in Shasler Vagu (SV) watershed of Nalgonda district, India. For this purpose, 107 groundwater samples were collected and analyzed various physcio-chemical parameters including fluoride, and Gibbs diagrams, Hill–Piper trilinear diagram, and groundwater quality index (GWQI) were applied to understand the groundwater chemistry and its suitability for drinking purpose. In addition to this, non-carcinogenic health risks of high fluoride intake were also evaluated using the US Environmental Protection Agency model for adults and children in the study region. Groundwater chemistry is mainly controlled by HCO₃^?-Ca²⁺-Mg²⁺ and Na⁺-HCO₃^? type, and rock weathering. Assessment of GWQI indicates that 76% of groundwater sources in the study region have poor quality for drinking uses. Results reveal that fluoride concentration ranged from 1.4 to 5.9?mg/L in the groundwater samples, which was significantly higher than the recommended limit of 1.5?mg/L for drinking uses. Results of hazard quotient (HQ) estimates are in the ranges of 0.90–3.78 and 1.21–5.11 in adults and children populations of the study region, respectively. About 98% of adults and 100% of children population of SV watershed are at very high risks of chronic toxicity by excess fluoride intake.     

Drinking water quality and arsenic health risk assessment in Sistan and Baluchestan,Southeastern Province,Iran

Access to drinking water is one of the most important indicators determined by the World Health Organization (WHO). This investigation surveyed the concentration of various pollutants in drinking water and its health risk attribute to Arsenic in Sistan and Baluchistan province, Iran. Water samples were collected from ground water and analyzed for physical parameters, anions, and heavy metals using the standard procedures. The concentrations of sulfate (269 ± 127 mg/l) in five sites exceeded the permissible limit (250 mg/l), while chlorine concentrations (223 ± 100 mg/l) in four sites exceeded the permissible limit (250 mg/l) set by WHO. Similarly, the concentrations of Mg (30 ± 11 mg/l) in four sites exceeded the permissible limit (30 mg/l), while Na concentrations (222 ± 99 mg/l) in five sites exceeded the permissible limit (200 mg/l) set by Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran (ISIRI). In addition, arsenic was in acceptable levels recommended by WHO and local regulations. Based on the calculated indices of hazard qutient (HR) and excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR), the in-use drinking water has no adverse effects on the consumer's health. Excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides, unsuitable sewerage systems, and inappropriate sludge and solid waste disposal in this province can lead to drinking water pollution. Also, excessive pumping of ground water should be managed as an effective method for supply of safe drinking water.     

Non-carcinogenic risk assessment to human health due to intake of fluoride in the groundwater in rural areas of Gonabad and Bajestan,Iran: A case study

In this study, a field research regarding groundwater contamination with fluoride and its related health risks to human health was carried out in 39 rural areas of Gonabad and Bajestan, Iran, in 2017. The results indicated that fluoride levels in two rural areas exceeded the WHO guideline. A total of 55% and 4.7% of the studied rural areas in Gonabad and Bajestan, respectively, had fluoride levels below the minimum recommended value of WHO for fluoride (0.5 mg/L). In this article, chronic non-cancer risks to three different groups of people, adults, children, and infants, for exposure to the fluoride were assessed. Health risk index values for fluoride contamination for 44% and 90% of children and infants in rural areas of Gonabad and Bajestan, respectively, were more than unity (>1), which clearly reveals that these age groups at the studied areas are at the chronic health risk due to the intake of fluoride-containing water. The order of fluoride contribution to non-carcinogenic health risk among the studied age groups was infants > children > adults. Therefore, from a public health viewpoint, it would be prudent and important that risk reduction measures be implemented to diminish the total body burden of fluoride in residents.     

Health risk assessment of nitrates in the groundwater of Beni Amir irrigated perimeter,Tadla plain,Morocco

Abstract

Shallow groundwater contaminated with nitrates may result in human health risks. Groundwater quality in the Beni Amir irrigation perimeter in Tadla plain, Morocco, is influenced by agriculture and farming-related activities. This study was carried out to assess the nitrate contamination of groundwater for drinking purposes by comparing it to Moroccan and WHO guidelines, and by estimating the potential human health effect of nitrates using the model recommended by the USEPA. The results showed that the nitrate content of groundwater fall between 0 and 82.08?mg L^?1 (mean 24.73?mg L^?1), with 38.10% of groundwater samples exceed the Moroccan and WHO limits for drinking. Groundwater nitrates mainly originated from intensive agricultural practices. The health effects of oral exposure to nitrate are higher than those of dermal exposure. For non-carcinogenic risks, 57.14% of samples showed hazard index (HI) values >1, indicating potential risks. The non-carcinogenic risk for infant and female are higher than that for females and males. The results of this study will offer a health risk reference for local residents and can help to propose suitable management ensuring safe drinking water.     

Health risk assessment of a reservoir-type water source in the northeastern region of China

Urban water sources are the major source of water resources for urban life, and its water quality affects the daily life and health of the local people. However, there were some reports on the poor water quality status of water sources in the past. In the present study, by applying fuzzy synthetic evaluation, the water quality was studied from a total of 24 water samples from a reservoir-type water source in the northeastern region of China. Health risks of eight trace elements in source water were assessed using health risk assessment model and Monte Carlo simulation, and source apportionment of eight trace elements in source water were also analyzed. The results indicated that the water quality of the source water was acceptable for category I surface water, while the concentrations of total phosphorus (TP) and manganese (Mn) were higher than the permissible level. The noncarcinogenic risks due to eight trace elements exposure were As > Mn > Pb > Cd ≈ Cr > Se > Zn > Cu and carcinogenic risk of Arsenic (As) was 3E?05 with a maximum probability. Furthermore, statistical analyses, such as correlation analysis, principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) showed that the trace metals in the water source have a certain degree of anthropogenic contributions, especially Mn. Overall, both the contents of TP and Mn and the health risk of As require some attention of the relevant department, and further protected measures should be taken in the source water.     

黑龙江省农村饮用水水质健康风险评价

本文以黑龙江省农村饮用水为研究对象,调研分析了该地区农村饮用水水质状况和水质问题,筛查出三种可能造成人体健康风险的典型污染物:砷,氟化物,硝酸盐。在此基础上,选用了USEPA推荐的水质风险健康评价模型对三种污染进行了健康风险评价,评价结果表明砷的健康风险值大于最大可接受限值10-(6a-1),存在较大人体健康风险,氟化物和亚硝酸盐人体健康风险较小。此外,根据水质健康风险评价结果,对保障黑龙江省农村饮用水实质安全提出了初步解决措施。     

Assessing the Consistency and Microbiological Effectiveness of Household Water Treatment Practices by Urban and Rural Populations Claiming to Treat Their Water at Home: A Case Study in Peru

Background

Household water treatment (HWT) can improve drinking water quality and prevent disease if used correctly and consistently by vulnerable populations. Over 1.1 billion people report treating their water prior to drinking it. These estimates, however, are based on responses to household surveys that may exaggerate the consistency and microbiological performance of the practice—key factors for reducing pathogen exposure and achieving health benefits. The objective of this study was to examine how HWT practices are actually performed by households identified as HWT users, according to international monitoring standards.

Methods and Findings

We conducted a 6-month case study in urban (n = 117 households) and rural (n = 115 households) Peru, a country in which 82.8% of households report treating their water at home. We used direct observation, in-depth interviews, surveys, spot-checks, and water sampling to assess water treatment practices among households that claimed to treat their drinking water at home. While consistency of reported practices was high in both urban (94.8%) and rural (85.3%) settings, availability of treated water (based on self-report) at time of collection was low, with 67.1% and 23.0% of urban and rural households having treated water at all three sampling visits. Self-reported consumption of untreated water in the home among adults and children <5 was common and this was corroborated during home observations. Drinking water of self-reported users was significantly better than source water in the urban setting and negligible but significantly better in the rural setting. However, only 46.3% and 31.6% of households had drinking water <1 CFU/100 mL at all follow-up visits.

Conclusions

Our results raise questions about the usefulness of current international monitoring of HWT practices and their usefulness as a proxy indicator for drinking water quality. The lack of consistency and sub-optimal microbiological effectiveness also raises questions about the potential of HWT to prevent waterborne diseases.