Heavy metal analysis and risk assessment in packaged drinking water samples

In parallel with global warming, which has become an important agenda item worldwide in recent years, the amount and adequacy of natural resource reserves have also started to be discussed. Climate changes have a significant impact on water resources, and rapid population growth brings with it an increase in water demand. Although water is a renewable resource, it is a depletable resource on a regional scale. Population growth and economic development have increased water consumption. Within the scope of this study, 16 different heavy metals were analyzed on 43 different packaged drinking water samples and risk assessment was made in the light of the data obtained. Barium (Ba), Lead (Pb) and Strontium (Sr) were the most commonly detected heavy metal species in the analyzed packaged drinking water samples. The highest detected heavy metal concentration values were 366.08, 0.80, 6.01 ppb for Ba, Pb and Sr, respectively. Exposure dose and cancer risk determinations were performed in packaged drinking water samples analyzed using the USEPA Risk Assessment Guidance (RAGS) methodology. The exposure dose through drinking packaged drinking water was calculated separately for Ba, Pb and Sr and found to be 0.004, 0.029 and 0.0012 μg/kg/day. The CR value was calculated for Pb metal because cancer slope factor values are only available for Cd, Cr and Pb in the Integrated Risk Information System. In general, a CR value greater than 1 in a million (10-6) is considered significant by USEPA. The results show that Pb in packaged drinking water exhibits carcinogenic index ranges exceeding 10-6 for adults. This indicates that consuming packaged drinking water poses a carcinogenic risk based on the Pb level. Therefore, appropriate control measures need to be taken to protect human health.