Evaluation of potential human health risks from exposure to volatile organic compounds in contaminated urban groundwater in the Sava river aquifer, Belgrade, Serbia

Abstract

The oil pollutant in the Sava River aquifer in the residential area of Belgrade, Serbia was investigated in order to analyze the extent, origin and spatial distribution of the pollution, with the aim to estimate potential human health risks from exposure to the compounds detected. Analytical methods indicated that the dominant compounds in this oil pollutant were gasoline range organic compounds. Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes (BTEX) were identified as compounds of concern and quantified by headspace gas chromatography. The concentrations of benzene measured at all sampling points were higher than the remediation value while the maximum concentrations of BTEX quantified were among the highest concentrations of these compounds reported in the petroleum-contaminated aquifers in the world. The assessment of the human health risks from exposure to BTEX-covered industrial scenario for adult receptors and residential scenario for adult receptors and children. The exposure routes analyzed were dermal contact with and ingestion of contaminated water, considering both cancer and non-cancer effects. The analysis of the lifetime incremental cancer risk indicated the potential for adverse health effects for human exposure at the investigated location, and because of that it was interpreted as an unacceptable risk level or risks of high priority which required immediate consideration for remedial measures at this location. A complete set of mitigation measures was proposed including: groundwater decontamination treatment, installation of filters for tap water, development of the system for monitoring of BTEX in the groundwater and development of the emergency response capacities at this location.

Contaminant Trends in Urban Groundwater: Case Study from Ljubljana (Central Slovenia)

“…In addition to compounds from agriculture and salt intrusion, e.g., chloride [45][46][47], some industrial chemicals are frequently detected [29], such as volatile organic compounds [48][49][50][51][52] and heavy metals such as arsenic, nickel and lead [53][54][55][56]. The main anthropogenic sources of heavy metals are found in various industrial sectors, e.g., current and former mining activities, metal plating, foundries, smelters, battery manufacture, tanneries, petroleum refining, paint manufacture, pigment manufacture, and the printing and photographic industries [57,58].…”

Activated-Carbon-Doped Non-Solvent-Induced Phase-Inversion Membranes: A Comprehensive Study on Synthesis, Characterisation, and Performance Evaluation

“…Agriculture consumes more water than any other activity and wastes much of it through inefficiencies. Moreover, we can find rivers and aquifers contaminated with organic matter due to human activity that must be treated [3][4][5]. Accordingly, the need to preserve water systems is enormous.…”