Abstract
In this study, fate and contaminant transport model-driven human health risk indexes were calculated due to the presence of dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs) in the subsurface environment of air force base area in Florida, USA. Source concentration data of DNAPLs was used for the calculation of transport model-driven health risk indexes for the children and adult sub-population via direct oral ingestion and skin dermal contact exposure scenario using 10,000 Monte Carlo type simulations. The highest variation in the probability distribution of transformed DNAPL compound (cis-dichloroethene (cis-DCE) > vinyl chloride (VC)) was observed as compared to parent DNAPL (tetrachloroethene (PCE)) based on the 50-year simulation timespan. Transformed DNAPL compounds (VC, cis-DCE) posed the highest risk to human health for a longer duration (up to 15 years) in comparison to parent DNAPL (PCE), as non-carcinogenic hazard quotient varied from 400 to 1100. Carcinogenic health risks were observed as 3-order of magnitude higher than safe limit (HQSafe < 10−6) from 2nd to 5th year timespan and fall in the high-risk zone, indicating the need for a remediation plan for a contaminated site. Variance attribution analysis revealed that concentration, body weight, and exposure duration (contribution percentage – 70 to 95%) were the most important parameters, highlighting the impact of dispersivity and exposure model in the estimation of risk indexes. This approach can help decision-makers when a contaminated site with partial data on hydrogeological properties and with higher uncertainty in model parameters is to be assessed for the formulation of remediation measures.
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All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this article and its supplementary files. The detailed excel sheet files used are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
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Acknowledgments
AG would like to acknowledge Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT Delhi), for Doctorate Fellowship and supporting this study. This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.
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AG proposed the modeling framework, simulated and analyzed the results, and wrote the manuscript. SC provided suggestions in methodology framework and revised the manuscript. All the authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript.
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Guleria, A., Chakma, S. Fate and contaminant transport model-driven probabilistic human health risk assessment of DNAPL-contaminated site. Environ Sci Pollut Res 28, 14358–14371 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-11635-w
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-11635-w