Public health risk associated with the quality of drinking water and food, and the incidence of colorectal cancer

Abstract

Aim – to assess the public health risk associated with the quality of drinking water and food in areas with different levels of incidence of colorectal cancer. Material and methods. An assessment was made of the carcinogenic risk and the risk of developing general toxic effects due to the intake of xenobiotics with food and drinking water in areas that differ in the incidence of colorectal cancer. To assess the risk, we used the results of laboratory studies performed as part of the social and hygienic monitoring for the period 2014–2021. Results. Priority pollutants that make the greatest contribution to the carcinogenic risk have been identified. The range of total carcinogenic risk, depending on arsenic compounds, varied in the Arsky district from acceptable to high (from 4.98E-05 to 2.70E-03), in Drozhzhanovsky – from acceptable to alarming (from 6.81E-05 to 2.02E- 04); in Aznakaevsky – from alarming to high (from 1.99E-04 to 2.21E-03). In the Kamsko-Ustyinsky district, the risk was assessed as alarming (from 2.15E-04 to 4.13E-04), in Yutazinsky as high (from 2.91E-03 to 1.80E-02). The total hazard index associated with the intake of nitrates with food and drinking water varied from the minimum in the Arsky district (HI=0.31) to the alarming one in the Kamsko-Ustyinsky district (HI=3.13). The risk of developing non-carcinogenic effects in the gastrointestinal tract, due to the natural characteristics of drinking water sources, was assessed as acceptable in all areas. Conclusion. In areas with an increased incidence of colorectal cancer, there were higher levels of carcinogenic health risk due to the intake of xenobiotics with food and drinking water (from alarming to high).