Author(s)

Jessica Carmelia Mbemba Peleka, Cheikh Diop^*, Robert Faomowe Foko, Mouhamadou Lamine Daffe, Mamadou Fall

Laboratory of Toxicology and Hydrology (LTH), Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Dentistry (FMPO), Cheikh Anta Diop University (UCAD), Dakar, Senegal.

Water contamination by chemical pollutants is increasingly associated with waterborne diseases worldwide. The objective of this study is to assess the chemical health risk associated with drinking water consumption in Dakar, Senegal. The methodology adopted in this study is based on the determination of trace metals (Cd, Pb, Fe, Cu and Mn) in human drinking water by flame atomic absorption spectrometry, the estimation of the exposure of populations of the study area on the basis of the quantity of water consumed daily and the determination of the hazard quotient which allows estimating the health risk. The results indicate unacceptable levels of Pb and Cd in the water according to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, while the concentrations of Fe, Cu and Mn are below the regulatory values. The hazard quotient (HQ) is in the majority of samples higher than 1 in children and infants for scenario 1 (based on WHO data), reflecting a high risk for this target. In scenario 2 based on consumption data from the populations studied, the HQ is greater than 1 only in heavy consumers. The drinking water consumed by Dakar population presents health risks related to Pb and Cd, particularly for infants, children and heavy consumers, hence the need to strengthen the water treatment system before home consumption.

Drinking Water, Trace Metals, Health Risk, Senegal

Peleka, J. , Diop, C. , Foko, R. , Daffe, M. and Fall, M. (2021) Health Risk Assessment of Trace Metals in Drinking Water Consumed in Dakar, Senegal. Journal of Water Resource and Protection, 13, 915-930. doi: 10.4236/jwarp.2021.1312049.