Health risk assessment of fluoride and nitrate in Lar area, south Iran

Reducing the quality of ground water in arid and semi-arid southern regions of Iran, most of the pollution is geogenic source and human source. Among the many harmful contaminants, nitrate and fluoride contamination are more spread. In this study, in order to evaluate fluoride and nitrate concentrations and compare the results with national and international standards, health risk assessment was conducted in non-cancer diseases in the aquifer of Lar. In this study, more than 17 wells in two wet seasons (May) and the dry season (September) were sampled. Selected wells used primarily for agriculture. Anions values, Cl, and Cations Ca, K, Na, Mg, using APHA were analyzed in the laboratory. The human health risk assessment using indicators Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was measured. The average concentration of fluoride and nitrate in the wet season F=2.9 NO3=19.7 and the dry season F=1.8 and NO3 = 16.3ppm, respectively. Risk factor (HQ) and CRlim (maximum water) was calculated for the elements fluorine and nitrate. The results show that the measured concentration for nitrate and fluoride elements in some samples taken over the limit set by the World Health Organization (WHO) for drinking water and hence the aquifer for domestic water use for people and especially the reported amounts of fluorine is dangerous for children.