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Health risk estimates for groundwater and soil contamination in the Slovak Republic: a convenient tool for identification and mapping of risk areas

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Abstract

We undertook a quantitative estimation of health risks to residents living in the Slovak Republic and exposed to contaminated groundwater (ingestion by adult population) and/or soils (ingestion by adult and child population). Potential risk areas were mapped to give a visual presentation at basic administrative units of the country (municipalities, districts, regions) for easy discussion with policy and decision-makers. The health risk estimates were calculated by US EPA methods, applying threshold values for chronic risk and non-threshold values for cancer risk. The potential health risk was evaluated for As, Ba, Cd, Cu, F, Hg, Mn, NO3 −, Pb, Sb, Se and Zn for groundwater and As, B, Ba, Be, Cd, Cu, F, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se and Zn for soils. An increased health risk was identified mainly in historical mining areas highly contaminated by geogenic–anthropogenic sources (ore deposit occurrence, mining, metallurgy). Arsenic and antimony were the most significant elements in relation to health risks from groundwater and soil contamination in the Slovak Republic contributing a significant part of total chronic risk levels. Health risk estimation for soil contamination has highlighted the significance of exposure through soil ingestion in children. Increased cancer risks from groundwater and soil contamination by arsenic were noted in several municipalities and districts throughout the country in areas with significantly high arsenic levels in the environment. This approach to health risk estimations and visualization represents a fast, clear and convenient tool for delineation of risk areas at national and local levels.

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Acknowledgments

This research has been performed within the project LIFE10 ENV/SK/000086. “The impact of geological environment on health status of residents of the Slovak Republic”, which is financially supported by the EU’s funding instrument for the environment: Life+ programme.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Geological Institute of D. Štúr, Mlynská dolina 1, 817 04, Bratislava, Slovak Republic

    K. Fajčíková, V. Cvečková & S. Rapant

  2. Centre for Public Health, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, L3 2ET, UK

    A. Stewart

  3. Goethe Uni Bratislava, Radlinského 9, 813 45, Bratislava, Slovak Republic

    S. Rapant

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  1. K. Fajčíková
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  2. V. Cvečková
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Correspondence to K. Fajčíková.

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Fajčíková, K., Cvečková, V., Stewart, A. et al. Health risk estimates for groundwater and soil contamination in the Slovak Republic: a convenient tool for identification and mapping of risk areas. Environ Geochem Health 36, 973–986 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-014-9612-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-014-9612-9

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