Quality and risk assessment of lead and cadmium in drinking water for child development centres use in Phatthalung province, Thailand

Abstract

The purpose of this cross-sectional study and research was to evaluate the health risks to children in relation to the concentration of lead and cadmium in drinking water. Samples were collected between 1 May 2020 and 15 October 2020. Thirty-three child development centres, Phatthalung province, Thailand. Two hundred and ten drinking water samples were taken, consisting of 66 bottled water samples, 66 tap water samples, 66 filtered tap water samples and 12 raw water samples for using in the child development centres. Concentrations of lead and cadmium were identified by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The concentration of cadmium in bottled water samples, tap water samples, filtered tap water samples, and raw water samples ranged from nd - 0.0020mg/L, nd - 0.0049 mg/L, nd - 0.0018 mg/L and nd - 0.0049 mg/L. The summation of the total hazard index of bottled water samples, tap water samples, filtered tap water, and raw water samples was less than 1, was considered health-protective. The results will provide the direct evidence needed by child development centres managers to warn learners about the health risk of drinking water among children.