Abstract:
Background: Chronic kidney disease of uncertain aetiology (CKDu) has been reported in Sri
Lanka for more than two decades. Although it has been a significant health burden, this is not
associated with any known factors of CKD such as hypertension, diabetes, and illegal drug
abuse.
Objectives: To assess the health risk of the intake of potential nephrotoxic elements via
drinking water using the chronic daily intake (CDI) of selected metals in Rideemaliyadda South, a CKDu endemic area, Sri Lanka.
Methods: Drinking water samples (n=30) were collected from Rideemaliyadda-South GN
division, Badulla district, Sri Lanka. Cd, Pb, Cr and Cu concentrations of the water samples
were analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICPMS-Agilent-7800).
All the analyses were done in triplicates. Mean CDI, Hazard Quotient (HQ), Hazard Index (HI)
for an adult human (oral) were measured using the concentrations of selected nephrotoxicants.
Results: The mean concentrations obtained for Cd, Pb, Cr and Cu were 0.12±0.02, 0.45±0.07,
0.16±0.00 and 1.95±1.17 μg/L, respectively. All the mean values of selected nephrotoxic
elements complied with the maximum permissible levels recommended by WHO. The mean
CDI values (µgkg−1day−1
) for Cd, Pb, Cr and Cu were 4.4x10-6
, 1.65x10-5
, 5.87x10-6
,
7.15×10-5
and the calculated HQ values were ranged as 4.4x10-6
, 4.71x10-6
, 1.96x10-6
,
1.79×10-5
, respectively. The calculated HQ and HI values for all the selected nephrotoxic
elements were below 1.0 (1.29×10-5
) and were within the acceptable level recommended by
WHO.
Conclusions: The nephrotoxic element concentrations, HQ, and HI values were within the
recommended values, indicating no potential harmful health risks to the residents in the study
area. However, long-term use of water may pose a hazard to human health. Therefore, it is
recommended to regularly monitor the water quality for contaminations before using for
drinking purposes.
