Arsenic-contaminated groundwater and its potential health risk: A case study in Long An and Tien Giang provinces of the Mekong Delta, Vietnam

The occurrence of arsenic (As) in groundwater (drilled well water) that were used for drinking, cooking, and personal hygiene and its risks to human health in Long An and Tien Giang provinces (Mekong delta, Vietnam) were evaluated in this study. The average As concentrations were 15.92 ± 11.4 μg/L (n = 24, Long An) and 4.95 ± 4.7 μg/L (n = 24, Tien Giang). The average concentrations of As in Long An had not reached the WHO and QCVN 01: 2009/BYT healthy drinking water standard (10 μg/L). When used as a source of water for drinking and daily activities, arsenic-contaminated groundwater may have a direct impact on human health. The risk assessment from groundwater established by the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) was conducted. The risk assessment showed that the average cancer risk (CR) values were 8.68 × 10−4 (adults) and 2.39 × 10−3 (children) for Long An, and 2.70 × 10−4 (adults) and 7.43 × 10−4 (children) for Tien Giang. These results were significantly higher than the CR (1 × 10−4) proposed by the USEPA. The adverse health effect was therefore specifically warned by the use of arsenic-contaminated groundwater. This research offers valuable knowledge for efficient water management approaches to guarantee local communities’ health protection.