Assessment of Health Risk using the Daily Intake of Nephrotoxic Trace Metals via Drinking Water: A Case Study in Rideemaliyadda-South, CKDu Endemic Area, Sri Lanka

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.