Evaluation of potential health risks from Cd, Pb, Zn, and Fe in drinking water and groundwater sources in Sulaymaniyah City, Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI).

Accessibility to a clean drinking water resource is vital for humanity, sources of clean water need to be preserved well and local government authorities need to make sure that the clean water is delivered to community individuals without any contamination. In this study, we aim to assess the human health-related risks that are associated with Cd, Pb, Zn, and Fe elements levels in the drinking water samples from both tab water and other drinking water sources in the city. We considered the necessary physiochemical indicators to assess the risk and found that most of the drinking water source parameters are within the WHO ( World Health Organization) standard, however, some samples showed risks of bioaccumulation of heavy metals due to high concentrations such as Lead in sample site 31G. Exposure assessment was evaluated to evaluate the carcinogenic risk within the study area and the collected samples, the TTHQ (Total Target Hazard Quotient) value for children from exposure was higher than adults’ values, which indicates a higher risk for children. These findings underline the urgent need for targeted mitigation strategies to safeguard public health of proper environmental monitoring of such risks may lead to irreversible outcomes, especially in sensitive community groups in the future. Public awareness and educational campaigns should also be promoted to highlight the importance of addressing water pollution and ensuring sustainable access to clean drinking water for all. Efforts to prioritize clean water supply must also focus on improving infrastructure, especially in high-risk areas, to reduce long-term hazards.