Health risk associated with heavy metals via consumption of surface and groundwater in district Shangla,Pakistan

The study aimed to investigate the heavy metals (cr,ni,cd,pb,mn and zn) concentrations in both surface and groundwater sources and their respective health risk in district shangla,pakistan. the concentrations of heavy metals were analyzed through aas (atomic absorption spectrometer) and the detectable values were compared with the standard limit of who (world health organization). the concentration of cd (87%),pb (58%),cr (24%) and ni (8%) samples exceeded than the acceptable limit of who,while mn and zn were found within permissible limits. the health risk like chronic daily intakes (cdis) and health risk indices (hris) were carried out for both children and adults. the values of cdi were observed in the order of pb> zn > ni >mn> cr > cd and zn >pb>mn> cd > cr > ni through consumption of surface and groundwater,respectively. hri values were observed >1 in drinking water for cd showing possible health risk in alpurai,lelonai and ranyal areas,while other heavy metals showed no health risk. in the study area,the results revealed that high contamination of heavy metals in both surface and groundwater may be due to geogenic activities (mafic and ultramafic rocks and pb-zn sulfide ore deposits). © 2015,national centre of excellence in geology. all rights reserved.