Health risk assessment via surface water and sub-surface water consumption in the mafic and ultramafic terrain, Mohmand agency, northern Pakistan

This study investigates drinking water (surface water and sub-surface water) quality and potential health risk assessment in the mafic and ultramafic terrain of Bucha area, Mohmand agency, northern Pakistan. Heavy metal (HM) concentrations were analyzed using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer. Statistical analyses like one-way ANOVA, correlation analysis, cluster analysis (CA) and principal component analysis (PCA) were used for contamination sources. Furthermore, HM health risk assessment showed that average daily dose (ADD) and hazard quotient (HQ) were found in the order of Cr > Fe > Ni > Cu > Mn > Zn > Co > Pb > Cd and Ni > Cd > Cu > Mn > Pb > Zn > Cr, respectively. Water contamination was the main source of diseases like diarrhea, viral hepatitis, headache, hypertension, abdominal pain, liver and kidney problems and fatal cardiac arrest as complained by most of the respondents during field visit and reported in basic health unit (BHU). In order to reduce the health risk, it is necessary that government immediately stop the contaminated sites for drinking water and should supply clean potable water to the inhabitants.

► pH, EC, TDS, Na, K, Cu, Mn, Pb, Zn and Cd were within the WHO permissible limits. ► Metallic ions like Ca, Mg, Co, Cr and Ni exceeded the WHO permissible limits. ► Health risk assessments of heavy metal via drinking water consumption were < 1. ► Geogenic and anthropogenic activities were main sources of contamination in water.