Human Health Risk Assessment Is Associated with the Consumption of Metal-Contaminated Groundwater around the Marituba Landfill, Amazonia, Brazil

Abstract

Groundwater is present in its purest form beneath the earth’s surface. However, metal contamination is potentially a problem faced by many countries. For this reason, the present study aims to make an assessment of the risks associated with groundwater consumption around the Marituba landfill in an Amazon region. The present study was characterized as transversal with the use of primary data. The sampling occurred in a stratified random way, performed in two radii of action being the 1st radius of 2.5 km away from the landfill and the 2nd radius of 3.5 km away from the landfill to the neighborhoods. A total of 184 points were collected. In all communities the average daily dose (ADD) was higher than the reference oral dose (Rfd), for the metals As, Pb and Mn the risk quotient (HQ) was greater than 1 (one) in all neighborhoods, the concentration of Mn in the least exposed neighborhood was greater than 10 µg.L−1, even at a distance of 3.5 km from the landfill. The average concentrations for As and Pb did not exceed the recommended, however, they were more significant for the Beira Rio neighborhood, respectively 1.47 µg.L−1 and 1.9 µg.L−1. And the average concentration for Cu was more significant for the Uriboca neighborhood 18.20 µg.L−1, but within the recommended. The average of the general concentration of Heavy Metals Pollution Index (HPI) of the water consumed was 80.03, indicating that the water consumed by the population is contaminated by metals.