Journal of Environmental Science International (한국환경과학회지)

The Korean Environmental Sciences Society (한국환경과학회)
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Quantitative Risk Assessment of the Adverse Effects due to Exposure to Cyanobacteria Toxin (Microcystin-LR) through Drinking Water in the Nakdong River Watershed

수돗물을 통해 노출되는 녹조독소의 인체위해성 평가

  • Lee, Jae-Hyun (Department of Environmental and Safety Engineering, Ajou University) ;
  • Shin, Gwy-Am (Department of Environmental and Safety Engineering, Ajou University)
  • 이재현 (아주대학교 환경안전공학과) ;
  • 신귀암 (아주대학교 환경안전공학과)
  • Received : 2016.12.15
  • Accepted : 2017.02.20
  • Published : 2017.03.31
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Abstract

The primary purpose of this study was to determine the risk of various disease outcomes due to exposure to cyanobacteria toxin (microcystin-LR) through drinking water in a Korean watershed. In order to determine the risk in a more quantitative way, the risk assessment framework developed by the National Research Council (NRC) of the United States (US) - hazard identification, dose-response relationship, exposure assessment, and risk characterization - was used in this study. For dose-response relationships, a computer software (BenchMark Dose Software (BMDS)) developed by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was used to fit the data from previous studies showing the relationship between the concentration of microcystin-LR and various disease outcomes into various dose-response models. For exposure assessment, the concentrations of microcystin-LR in the source water and finished water in a Korean watershed obtained from a recent study conducted by the Ministry of Environment of Korea were used. Finally, the risk of various disease outcomes due to exposure to cyanobacteria toxin (microcystin-LR) through drinking water was characterized by Monte-Carlo simulation using Crystall Ball program (Oracle Inc.) for adults and children. The results of this study suggest that the risk of disease due to microcystin-LR toxin through drinking water is very low and it appears that current water treatment practice should be able to protect the public from the harmful effects of cyanobacteria toxin (microcystin-LR) through drinking water.

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References

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