Health risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and phthalates in finished water from waterworks in a metropolis

Abstract

Objectives To evaluate the potential hazards of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and phthalates (PAEs) in the finished water from waterworks in a big city. Methods A total of 300 L finished water were collected from 3 waterworks with water intakes at Jialing river and Yangtze river before and after the confluence of 2 rivers, respectively. After enrichment, 16 kinds of optimal control PAHs and 17 kinds of PAEs were detected. Carcinogenic risk and non-carcinogenic risk were calculated according to the test results by using the water environmental health risk assessment model recommended by International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). Results There were 7 PAHs and 9 PAEs detected. The total amount of PAHs was 0.605~0.947 μg /L, and benzoa (a) pyrene (BaP) ranged from 0.011 to 0.014 μg/L, and diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) from 3.047 to 3.608 μg/L. The total health risk was 1.82×10-5~2.13×10-5 a-1 for men and 2.42×10-5~2.83×10-5 a-1 for women. Conclusion Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are detected in the finished water of 3 water plants in the main urban area of a metropolis. The contents of PAHs are lower than the limiting levels of the Water Quality Standards for Urban Water Supply (CJ/T206-2005); but that of BaP is slightly larger than 0.01 μg/L, the limiting value of the Standards for Drinking Water Quality (GB5749-2006). The level of DEHP is lower than the limiting value of the above standard. The health risks caused by it are still under the acceptable level of ICRP (5.0×10-5 a-1).

Keywords

• finished water
• polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
• phthalates
• health risk assessment