Evaluation of arsenic contamination and potential risks assessment through water, soil and rice consumption

This study was carried to assess the arsenic (As) contamination in water, soil, and rice. Surface-water (n=120), soil (n=102), and rice plants (n=50) samples were collected from the Sewakht (rural) and Chitral city (urban) areas, Pakistan, and analyzed for As concentration. The average concentration of As were 2 and 2 mu g/L in water, 0.67 and 0.07 mg/kg in soil, and 0.03 and 0.03 mg/kg in rice grain of rural and urban, respectively. Determined As concentration in surface-water, soil, and rice grains were used for the assessment of the potential risks. The mean hazard quotients (HQ) values through water consumption for adults and children were within the threshold limits. For water consumption, the cancerous risk (R) of adults and children were 7.4% and 3.03% in rural, while 6.06% and 1.85% in urban, respectively. Soil (7%) exhibited R for rural-children only. The mean HQ values through rice consumption were within the limit for children and adults. This study revealed that As contamination in water could result in various health problems for the local community in the future. Therefore, they need to be provided safe and clean drinking water. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.