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http://dx.doi.org/10.9720/kseg.2022.4.437

Risk Assessment of Arsenic-Contaminated Groundwater in Multiple Scenarios in a Rural Area of Gyeongnam Province, Korea  

Oh, Serim (Department of Geology, Kangwon National University)
Lee, Jin-Yong (Department of Geology, Kangwon National University)
Moon, Sang-Ho (Groundwater Environment Research Center, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources)
Jang, Jiwook (Department of Geology, Kangwon National University)
Jeong, Eunju (Department of Geology, Kangwon National University)
Publication Information
The Journal of Engineering Geology / v.32, no.4, 2022 , pp. 437-448 More about this Journal
Abstract
This work aims to assess the threat to human health of hazardous materials in groundwater that is used domestically and for drinking. Two distinct sub-assessments are considered: cancer and non-cancer risk. The studied groundwater is in an agricultural area of Gyeongnam Province, Korea, and is contaminated by arsenic at a mean level of 16.27 ㎍/L, far greater than the WHO guideline (10 ㎍/L for drinking water). We collected groundwater data from the National Groundwater Information Center (gims.go.kr) and assessed the risk to human health following the methodology of the United States Environmental Protection Agency. We considered three exposure scenarios: domestic use (scenario 1) and drinking use with different doses (scenarios 2 and 3). Scenario 1 had a median hazard quotient (HQ) of 0.77 and a cancer risk (CR) of 0.013. Scenario 2 had a median HQ of 0.08 and a CR of 3.69 × 10-5, and the values for scenario 3 were 0.11 and 4.82 × 10-5, respectively. Scenario 1 is likely the most hazardous to human health. Further study of the origin of arsenic in groundwater in the study area is required, as are remedial measures to mitigate its health effects.
Keywords
risk assessment; groundwater; arsenic contamination; hazard quotient; cancer risk;
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Times Cited By KSCI : 3  (Citation Analysis)
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