Spatial and temporal distribution of arsenic concentration in rural drinking water and health risk assessment in Northern China from 2013 to 2022: a case study of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region

Abstract Background By monitoring arsenic levels in rural drinking water in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region from 2013 to 2022 and evaluating their health risks, this study provides a basis for further developing strategies to promote public health. Methods One stable centralized water supply point...

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Main Authors: Wen-Yu Zhang, Xiang-Nan Zhang, Chen-Guang Zhang, Xin-Rui Jia, Huan Li, Xuan-Zhi Yue, Duo-Duo Wu, Jia-Ke Zhu, Wen-Qian Zhang, Yu-Han Qin, Yao-Chun Fan
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Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-12-01
Series:BMC Public Health
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-20776-3
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author Wen-Yu Zhang
Xiang-Nan Zhang
Chen-Guang Zhang
Xin-Rui Jia
Huan Li
Xuan-Zhi Yue
Duo-Duo Wu
Jia-Ke Zhu
Wen-Qian Zhang
Yu-Han Qin
Yao-Chun Fan
author_facet Wen-Yu Zhang
Xiang-Nan Zhang
Chen-Guang Zhang
Xin-Rui Jia
Huan Li
Xuan-Zhi Yue
Duo-Duo Wu
Jia-Ke Zhu
Wen-Qian Zhang
Yu-Han Qin
Yao-Chun Fan
author_sort Wen-Yu Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background By monitoring arsenic levels in rural drinking water in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region from 2013 to 2022 and evaluating their health risks, this study provides a basis for further developing strategies to promote public health. Methods One stable centralized water supply point was randomly selected in each township of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. One finished water sample and 1–3 tap water samples were collected at each supply point. Water samples were collected once during the dry season (May) and once during the rainy season (August-September). Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare arsenic concentrations in drinking water from different types of water sources, and Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare arsenic concentrations in drinking water across different years. Environmental health risk assessment was conducted using the health risk assessment model recommended by the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Results Overall, arsenic concentrations in rural drinking water were higher in the central-western part of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region compared to the eastern part. From 2013 to 2022, there was a notable decreasing trend in arsenic concentrations in rural drinking water, with over 98% of water samples meeting arsenic standards by 2022. During 2013–2019, arsenic concentrations in drinking water sourced from groundwater were consistently higher than those from surface water sources (P < 0.05). Hazard quotient (HQ) values for the entire population were below 1, and lifetime cancer risk (LCR) values exceeded 1 × 10− 6. Sensitivity analysis indicated that drinking water arsenic concentration contributed the most to health risks for the population. Conclusion During 2013–2022, through concerted efforts by the government and the people, excessive arsenic levels in rural drinking water have been significantly reduced, resulting in decreased health risks for the population. However, some carcinogenic risks still exist.Therefore, the next critical step in improving water quality in the region involves further optimizing methods such as coagulation, adsorption, or ion exchange to remove arsenic from drinking water.
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spelling doaj-art-977053d7b4574676a1d109f55cb4da9f2024-12-22T12:52:50ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582024-12-0124111110.1186/s12889-024-20776-3Spatial and temporal distribution of arsenic concentration in rural drinking water and health risk assessment in Northern China from 2013 to 2022: a case study of Inner Mongolia Autonomous RegionWen-Yu Zhang0Xiang-Nan Zhang1Chen-Guang Zhang2Xin-Rui Jia3Huan Li4Xuan-Zhi Yue5Duo-Duo Wu6Jia-Ke Zhu7Wen-Qian Zhang8Yu-Han Qin9Yao-Chun Fan10Inner Mongolia Medical UniversityInner Mongolia Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Inner Mongolia Academy of Preventive Medicine)Inner Mongolia Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Inner Mongolia Academy of Preventive Medicine)Inner Mongolia Medical UniversityInner Mongolia Medical UniversityInner Mongolia Medical UniversityBaotou Medical CollegeInner Mongolia Medical UniversityInner Mongolia Medical UniversityInner Mongolia Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Inner Mongolia Academy of Preventive Medicine)Inner Mongolia Medical UniversityAbstract Background By monitoring arsenic levels in rural drinking water in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region from 2013 to 2022 and evaluating their health risks, this study provides a basis for further developing strategies to promote public health. Methods One stable centralized water supply point was randomly selected in each township of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. One finished water sample and 1–3 tap water samples were collected at each supply point. Water samples were collected once during the dry season (May) and once during the rainy season (August-September). Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare arsenic concentrations in drinking water from different types of water sources, and Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare arsenic concentrations in drinking water across different years. Environmental health risk assessment was conducted using the health risk assessment model recommended by the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Results Overall, arsenic concentrations in rural drinking water were higher in the central-western part of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region compared to the eastern part. From 2013 to 2022, there was a notable decreasing trend in arsenic concentrations in rural drinking water, with over 98% of water samples meeting arsenic standards by 2022. During 2013–2019, arsenic concentrations in drinking water sourced from groundwater were consistently higher than those from surface water sources (P < 0.05). Hazard quotient (HQ) values for the entire population were below 1, and lifetime cancer risk (LCR) values exceeded 1 × 10− 6. Sensitivity analysis indicated that drinking water arsenic concentration contributed the most to health risks for the population. Conclusion During 2013–2022, through concerted efforts by the government and the people, excessive arsenic levels in rural drinking water have been significantly reduced, resulting in decreased health risks for the population. However, some carcinogenic risks still exist.Therefore, the next critical step in improving water quality in the region involves further optimizing methods such as coagulation, adsorption, or ion exchange to remove arsenic from drinking water.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-20776-3ArsenicDrinking waterHealth risk assessmentInner Mongolia Autonomous Region
spellingShingle Wen-Yu Zhang
Xiang-Nan Zhang
Chen-Guang Zhang
Xin-Rui Jia
Huan Li
Xuan-Zhi Yue
Duo-Duo Wu
Jia-Ke Zhu
Wen-Qian Zhang
Yu-Han Qin
Yao-Chun Fan
Spatial and temporal distribution of arsenic concentration in rural drinking water and health risk assessment in Northern China from 2013 to 2022: a case study of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region
BMC Public Health
Arsenic
Drinking water
Health risk assessment
Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region
title Spatial and temporal distribution of arsenic concentration in rural drinking water and health risk assessment in Northern China from 2013 to 2022: a case study of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region
title_full Spatial and temporal distribution of arsenic concentration in rural drinking water and health risk assessment in Northern China from 2013 to 2022: a case study of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region
title_fullStr Spatial and temporal distribution of arsenic concentration in rural drinking water and health risk assessment in Northern China from 2013 to 2022: a case study of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region
title_full_unstemmed Spatial and temporal distribution of arsenic concentration in rural drinking water and health risk assessment in Northern China from 2013 to 2022: a case study of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region
title_short Spatial and temporal distribution of arsenic concentration in rural drinking water and health risk assessment in Northern China from 2013 to 2022: a case study of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region
title_sort spatial and temporal distribution of arsenic concentration in rural drinking water and health risk assessment in northern china from 2013 to 2022 a case study of inner mongolia autonomous region
topic Arsenic
Drinking water
Health risk assessment
Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-20776-3
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