Potential Health Risk Assessment for Nitrate Contamination in the Groundwater of Mersin Province, Türkiye

Özbay, Özgür

Though groundwater is one of the most significant natural water sources, its quality is deteriorating due to the anthropogenic pressures that poses health risks for people. In this study, potential health risk assessment for nitrate pollution in groundwater of Mersin Province was determined by commonly using health indices. Study findings indicated that the calculated Hazard Index (HI) values varied between 0.001 and 17.89 for the adults whilst the HI values ranging from 0.001 to 29.87 for the children. The HI values in the groundwater of Erdemli, Göksu and Anamur regions showed low chronic health risk for the adults and children (HI≤1). However, the calculated health risk indices indicated significant health hazards for the children inhabited between Tarsus and Çeşmeli regions (HI≥4.00) d...