Distribution of trace metal in raw, finished, distributed water and their association with cord blood trace metal levels
Date Issued
2009
Date
2009
Author(s)
Liao, Cheng-Chi
Abstract
The water supply system in Taiwan is quite well established and its serving rate is extremely high. However, recent studies have indicated that adverse effects resulting from exposure to trace metals in tap water could occur at low levels. Therefore, the main purpose of this study were to characterize the distribution of trace metal levels in raw, finished, distributed water, in order to explore the source of and the effect of exposure to trace metals in water, and to correlate the trace metal levels in distributed water and cord blood. Trace metal levels in water of 92 domestic water treatment plants were analyzed in this study. Inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used for the analysis of 20 trace metals in raw, finished and distributed water. Furthermore, the results were examined for in the association with geologic properties, water treatment processes and trace metals in cord blood. Geographic information system (GIS) was utilized to identify the location of, to localize the buffer zones of and to overlap layers on GIS for water treatment plants. Analytical data was integrated and analyzed by Statistical Analysis System (SAS). Results showed that the mean arsenic concentration was 1.49±1.51 µg/L in raw water from the alluvium area and was higher than those from other geologic area (p<0.05). Mean arsenic concentrations in raw water from Yunlin and Chiayi, both located in the alluvium area, were 3.12±1.07 µg/L and 2.87±0.11 µg/L, respectively, relatively higher than those in other regions (p<0.05). Certain trace metals, including As, Be, Co, Cr, Mn, Ni, Tl, V increased levels in finished water after water treatment while others decreased, i.e., Sb, Se, Ag. Within water serving zones with radius of 2, 3 or 4 kilometers, positive correlations were found for trace metals of Be, Cd, U, Mo, Sb between distributed water and cord blood. In summary, these findings in the present study will be helpful for relevant studies in future to further explore the association between trace metals background levels in raw water and the health potential effects in human.
Subjects
Raw water
finished water
distributed water
trace metal
cord blood
water treatment plants
SDGs
Type
thesis
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