Background and Objective: The industrial development along with the rising in human population has led to releasing considerable hazardous materials such as heavy metals into the environment. Environmental pollution by heavy metals can in turn threaten the human health. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the concentration levels of some heavy metals including; Cd, Pb, Cr and Cu, as well as to estimate the physico-chemical parameters of drinking water distribution network of Sanandaj city in 2014.
Methods: In order to accomplish the present descriptive study, 18 samples were collected from the water distribution network of Sanandaj during 2014. The level of heavy metals were assayed by using a graphite furnace atomic absorption (Phoenix 986). The standard approaches mentioned in the standard method book were used to measure the fluoride, nitrate and hardness of water. The Pearson Correlation test was used to estimate the association between parameters.
Results: The mean concentrations of Cd, Pb, Cr and Cu were found to be 0.0004, 0.011, 0.03, 0.3 mg/L respectively. Moreover, the mean levels of fluoride, nitrate, and total hardness were 0.11, 6.57, and 166 mg/L respectively. The level of Hazard Quotient in this study was lower than 1 (HQ < 1).
Conclusion: The concentration of all heavy metals in this study were lower than the national and international thresholds of drinking water. It is concluded that Sanandaj drinking water is safe to drink concerning health issues.
