Trihalomethanes and arsenic in drinking water in Chinú and Corozal municipalities in Colombia: health risk assessment

Abstract

In several municipalities in the departments of Córdoba and Sucre in Colombia, the catchment for water supply systems is performed with groundwater from the Morroa aquifer. Disinfection with chlorine gas is the only water purification process and will remain for many decades according to the company providing public services. This research aimed to assess the concentrations of trihalomethanes (THMs) and Arsenic (As) in drinking water and the determination of associated risk from the intake in the population of Chinú and Corozal. The measured variables in samples of drinking water and pools water stored during dry and rainy seasons were THMs, As, Total Organic Carbon (TOC ), residual chlorine, fecal coliform and turbidity, among others. A correlations between fecal coliforms and THMs in its component Chloroform CHCl3 and between turbidity and TOC concentration were found for the two periods in both municipalities. The average value for turbidity concentrations in winter was higher than 0.1 mg/L those in summer for both municipalities. The magnitude of risk was calculated using the methodology of the EPA, trough the Lifetime Average Daily Dose(DDPV).