Health risk assessment of Fluoride and Cadmium enrichment in rural drinking groundwater in Shanxi Province, China
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Abstract: Excessive levels of Fluoride (F−) and Cadmium (Cd) in drinking groundwater may pose health risks. This study assessed the health risks associated with F− and Cd contamination in rural drinking groundwater sources in Wutai County, Shanxi Province, China, to support population health protection, water resource management, and environmental decision-making. Groundwater samples were collected and analyzed, and a Human Health Risk Model (HHRA) was applied to evaluate groundwater quality. The results showed that both contents of F− and Cd in groundwater exceeded the Class III limits of China's national groundwater quality standard (GB/T 14848—2024). Fluoride levels met the Class V threshold, with enrichment area mainly located in the east part of the study area. Cadmium levels reached Class IV, with elevated concentrations primarily observed in the western and northwestern regions. Correlation analysis revealed that F− showed weak or no correlation with other measured substances, indicating independent sources. Health risk assessment results indicated that F− poses potential health risks to rural residents, while cadmium, due to its relatively low concentrations, does not currently present a significant health risk. Among different demographic groups, the health risk levels of F− exposure followed the order: Infants >children >adult females >adult males. The findings highlight that fluoride is the primary contributor to health risks associated with groundwater consumption in the study area. Strengthened monitoring and prevention of F− contamination are urgently needed. This research provides a scientific basis for the prevention and control of fluoride pollution in groundwater and offers practical guidance for safeguarding drinking water safety in rural China.
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Key words:
- Rural China /
- Groundwater quality /
- Fluoride /
- Cadmium /
- Source analysis /
- Health risk assessment
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Table 1. Analytical methods and detection limits for groundwater quality parameters
Analyte Analytical method Detection limit (mg/L) Na+ Ion chromatography 1 Ca2+ Acidic permanganate titrimetric method 4 Mg2+ Acidic permanganate titrimetric method 3 NH4+ Ion chromatography 0.05 Cl- Ion chromatography 3 SO42− Ion chromatography 3 NO3− Ion chromatography 0.01 NO2− Spectrophotometry 0.010 F− Ion chromatography 0.05 Cu Flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry 0.007 Zn Flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry 0.003 Cd Flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry 0.007 Ni Flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry 0.012 Cr6+ Catalytic polarographic method 0.02 T Fe Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry 0.05 Mn Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry 0.05 H2SiO3 Silicon molybdenum yellow spectrophotometry 1.3 As Hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry 0.0005 Hg Cold atomic absorption spectrophotometry 0.0001 CODMn Acidic permanganate titrimetric method 0.4 CaCO3 EDTA titrimetric method 5 TDS Gravimetric method — pH Glass-electrodes method — Sr Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry 0.05 Se Catalytic polarographic method 0.0005 Li Ion chromatography 0.02 Al Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry 0.005 Pb Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry 0.3 Note: “—” indicates no applicable detection limit for the parameter. Table 2. Definitions and values of exposure assessment parameters.
Parameter Meaning Value Unit Children Females Males Infants EF Exposure frequency 365 365 365b 365 d/a BW Average body weight 32.02 a 60.4a 69.55a 7.68 a kg ABS Gastrointestinal absorption coefficient 0.5c 0.5c 0.5c 0.5c IR Daily water intake 1.5b 2e 2e 0.65b L/d ED Exposure duration 6b 30b 30b 0.5d a SA Body surface areas 9035.2 1600a 1700a 3416 cm2 AT Average exposure time 2190 10950 10950 182.5b d EV Bathing frequency 1b time/d ET Bath time 0.167c h/d CF Unit conversion factor 0.002b L/cm3 KP Dermal adsorption 0.001b cm/h a Data source: The State Council of the People's Republic of China (2021).
b Data source: Tian et al. (2020a).
c Data source: Sun et al. (2024c).
d Data source: Tian et al. (2020c).
e Data source: The National Bureau of Statistics of the People's Republic of China (2003).Table 3. Single index evaluation results of groundwater quality
Indicator Class I Class II Class III Class IV Class V Colour 100% 0% 0% 0% 0% Odor 100% 0% 0% 0% 0% Turbidity 58% 0% 0% 37% 5% Visible objects 100% 0% 0% 0% 0% pH 87% 0% 0% 11% 3% Al 0% 92% 8% 0% 0% Mn 97% 0% 3% 0% 0% Cu 100% 0% 0% 0% 0% Zn 97% 3% 0% 0% 0% Cl− 100% 0% 0% 0% 0% SO42− 95% 3% 0% 0% 3% CaCO3 29% 66% 3% 3% 0% TDS 79% 18% 3% 0% 0% COD 87% 11% 3% 0% 0% As 100% 0% 0% 0% 0% Cd 92% 0% 0% 8% 0% Cr6+ 82% 16% 3% 0% 0% Pb 100% 0% 0% 0% 0% Hg 100% 0% 0% 0% 0% Se 100% 0% 0% 0% 0% F− 13% 68% 13% 3% 3% NO3− 100% 0% 0% 0% 0% NH4+ 68% 0% 32% 0% 0% Na+ 100% 0% 0% 0% 0% NO2− 0% 92% 8% 0% 0% Ni 100% 0% 0% 0% 0% Table 4. Correlation matrix of groundwater hydrochemical parameters
t.d CaCO3 TDS pH Ca2+ Mg2+ SO42− F− Cd Sr t.d 1 CaCO3 −0.072 1 TDS −0.06 0.990** 1 pH −0.108 −0.322 −0.371* 1 Ca2+ 0.01 0.931** 0.962** −0.505** 1 Mg2+ −0.122 0.840** 0.779** 0.018 0.593** 1 SO42− −0.034 0.734** 0.785** −0.596** 0.884** 0.354 1 F− 0.032 −0.034 −0.013 −0.046 0.088 −0.192 0.224 1 Cd −0.016 0.137 0.082 0.307 −0.009 0.25 −0.067 −0.168 1 Sr −0.002 0.795** 0.835** −0.570** 0.914** 0.412* 0.953** 0.237 0.085 1 Notes: ** At the 0.01 level (bilateral), there is a significant correlation.
* At the 0.05 level (bilateral), there is a significant correlation.
t.d- turbidity degree.
TDS- Total Dissolved Solids.Table 5. Statistical summary of hazard coefficient for Cd
Group Males Females Children Infants HIderm-water 0.0008 0.0008 0.0089 0.0066 HIoral-water 0.2272 0.2616 0.3701 0.6686 HI 0.2279 0.2624 0.3790 0.6752 Table 6. Statistical summary of hazard coefficient of F−
Group Males Females Children Infants HIderm-water 0.004 0.005 0.051 0.037 HIoral-water 1.293 1.489 2.106 3.806 HI 1.297 1.494 2.157 3.843 -
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