Assessment of the risk to public health from exposure to chemicals contained in the water of the centralized water supply system of an industrial city

Introduction. The quality of water supplied to consumers through centralized water supply networks is one of the main environmental factors that determines the health of the population. Provision of residents with full-value drinking water remains an urgent task in many regions of Russia.

The study aim was to determine the impact of chemical contamination of drinking water on the health of the population of an industrial city on the base of a risk assessment.

Materials and methods. This study was conducted in the city of Novokuznetsk in the Kemerovo region, where large enterprises of many industries operate. An analysis of average annual concentrations of eighteen chemical impurities in tap water for 2021–2023 was conducted. The values of non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks to public health, as well as the risk of chronic intoxication, were calculated.

Results. Average concentrations of pollutants in the water of the centralized water supply system of Novokuznetsk do not exceed the relevant hygienic standards. The non-carcinogenic risk is at a minimal level; all calculated hazard coefficients for chronic oral intake of toxicants do not exceed 0.1. The maximum contribution (39.1%) to the formation of non-carcinogenic risk is made by chloroform (HQ was 0.086). The main critical organs and systems of consumers are blood (HI is 0.16), central nervous system (HI=0.10), kidneys (HI=0.097). The priority impurities affecting the blood are manganese, nitrates, and chloroform; manganese and chloroform influence on the central nervous system, and chloroform and cadmium – on the kidneys. The total individual carcinogenic risk (CR) was 1.44 × 10^–5, which exceeds the acceptable level (1 × 10^–5). The main contribution to the formation of this type of risk is made by bromodichloromethane (44.2%), chloroform (36.3%), dibromochloromethane (10.0%), cadmium (7.5%). The total risk of chronic intoxication is 0.017 with an acceptable level of 0.05. Chloroform (51.18%), bromodichloromethane (12.35%), benz(a)pyrene (10.0%), and cadmium (10.0%) have the highest specific gravity.

Limitations were consisted of assessing the health risks from the influence of chemical impurities in tap water, which were used to determine concentrations.

Conclusion. The content of chlorine compounds in tap water determines the formation of a carcinogenic risk to the health of consumers even at the concentrations of chemical impurities below established hygienic standards.

Compliance with ethical standards. This study did not require the conclusion of the Ethics Committee.

Contribution:
Surzhikov D.V. – concept and design of the study, writing the text, editing;
Kislitsyna V.V. – literature review, writing the text, editing;
Golikov R.A. – collection and processing of material;
Likontseva Yu.S. – collection and processing of material, writing the text;
Toropchin M.A. – collection and processing of material.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship.

Received: December 4, 2025 / Accepted: March 26, 2025 / Published: April 30, 2025

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