Health risk assessment of trace elements in a suburban river near a coal city: a case study in the Xinbian River of Suzhou City, Anhui Province, China

ABSTRACT To clarify seasonal variation and health risk of trace elements (TEs) in Xinbian River of Suzhou City, in Anhui Province, China, nine sampling points were selected and periodically sampled for 12 months. Concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) were investigated, and their health risks were calculated using United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) evaluation model. Results show that, although the TEs met Class III of Environment Quality Standards for Surface Water in China (GB 3838-2002), As in 8.30% water samples exceeded drinking standards (10 μg/L) in China and World Health Organization. Total health risk (RT) summed by chemical carcinogens (As, Cd, and Cr) and noncarcinogens (Cu, Pb, and Zn) ranged from 1.38 × 10−5 a−1 to 1.46 × 10−4 a−1. Among RT of water samples, 8.33% and 40.7% exceeded the maximum acceptable risk recommended by USEPA and International Commission on Radiological Protection, respectively. Arsenic was the optimal pollutant because it's enhanced concentration and high carcinogen risk, accounting for 91.5% of RT. The maximum value of As concentration and RT were both obtained in August. The results can provide reference for screening environmental priority pollutant and water environment protection of nearby rivers as drinking water sources.