Investigating the presence of dioxins in drinking water: Implications for public health

Abstract

Dioxins: Infamous man-made toxins, a top environmental hazard of great concern. The presence of highly toxic dioxins, specifically polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), in drinking water is a matter of great concern due to their long-lasting nature and harmful effects. In this study, we detected three out of the five dioxin congeners: 2, 3, 7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzodioxin (TCDD), 1, 2, 3, 7, 8-pentachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (PeCDD), and octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (OCDD). The investigation revealed that all three dioxins were present in samples collected during the winter season, while only TCDD and OCDD were found in samples from the summer season. The geometric mean concentrations of PCDDs were 229.9 ng/L in winter and 108.4 ng/L in summer. These concentrations exceeded the maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 30 pg/L set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in surface water, Water Treatment Plant effluent, overhead tank, and drinking water samples. This indicates a serious risk to the safety of drinking water and public health. The estimated daily intake of PCDDs for residents through drinking water was 273.97 ng-WHO2005-TEQ/kg/day during winter and 78.875 ng-WHO2005-TEQ/kg/day during summer. These values raise significant concerns about the potential health impacts associated with the consumption of contaminated water. The findings our study underscore the urgent need for further research focused on persistent organic pollutants in drinking water supplies. Additionally, it is crucial to develop and implement effective large-scale remediation technologies to combat the adverse effects of dioxin contamination. Safeguarding the quality of drinking water is essential for protecting public health and ensuring the well-being of communities.