Risk assessment among the residents of Kampung Kuala Pansoon, Hulu Langat on nitrate intake of gravity feed system (GFS)

Suhaimi, Muhammad Azriq Najmi (2024) Risk assessment among the residents of Kampung Kuala Pansoon, Hulu Langat on nitrate intake of gravity feed system (GFS). [Project Paper] (Submitted)

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Abstract

Introduction: The most practical solution for issues with rural water supply is the gravity feed system because it requires little maintenance and has very low operating expenses. Almost zero to no maintenance is required when the source is protected from any type of contamination. Despite the improvements made in clean water supply and sanitization, some communities in Malaysia are still unable to achieve this standard completely, including the poor and people who live in rural areas. Contamination of drinking water with nitrate occurs in both the surface water and groundwater. Therefore, the results of this study will help this group of people improve their quality of life in terms of clean water sanitization and consumption with the outcoming of water supply policies and guidelines by the Malaysian authorities. Moreover, by measuring the concentration of nitrate in gravity feed system and assessing health risk exposure of nitrate in Kampung Kuala Pansoon, Hulu Langat, and Selangor, the health effects of nitrate exposure could be determined. Hence, improving and enhancing the water distribution system for residents of Hulu Langat, Selangor. Objective: To determine the concentration of nitrate in the gravity feed system water and carry out a health risk assessment of nitrate exposure among the residents in Kampung Kuala Pansoon, Hulu Langat, Selangor. Methodology: A set of questionnaires was administered to respondents during the study stage. The questionnaire consisted of two parts: Part A collected the respondents’ sociodemographic information, body weight, the usage of a water filtration system at home, and the primary source of drinking water. Part B collected information regarding the use of the Gravity Feed System. Corresponding to this, the nitrate concentration in the gravity feed system water was measured using a HI98191 Professional Portable pH/ORP/ISE Meter with an attached Ion Selective Nitrate Combination Electrode (ISE) HI4113 along with the measurement of pH with the instrument HI 98130 Combo tester. Prior to determining the exposure of respondents to nitrate in drinking water, the Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) was calculated along with the major differences in exposure, and overall likelihood of non-carcinogenic health impacts posed by nitrate in drinking water was addressed using the Hazard Quotient (HQ). Results: The mean nitrate concentration obtained was 7.22 mg/L ± 4.97 (SD) which did not exceed the maximum allowable nitrate concentration in drinking water (10 mg/L). However, seven water samples exceeded the maximum level, and 73.1% of the houses’ nitrate concentrations were below the maximum allowable nitrate concentration in drinking water. Hazard Quotient calculated of all respondents was less than 1 (HQ<1). Conclusion: The assessment of water quality parameters uncovered that the pH level in the water samples deviated from the established standard range. The overall mean nitrate concentration remained below the maximum permissible level for drinking water (10mg/L). This reassuringly affirms the safety of the gravity feed system for consumer consumption. Evaluation of the Hazard Quotient (HQ) yielded a value below 1, indicating that consumers are not exposed to non-carcinogenic health risks such as methemoglobinemia. Keywords: nitrate, gravity feed system, drinking water quality, estimated daily intake, hazard quotient

Item Type:	Project Paper
Faculty:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Science
Depositing User:	Ms Norafizah Radzuan
Date Deposited:	29 Apr 2025 06:28
Last Modified:	29 Apr 2025 06:28
URI:	http://psaspb.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/2384

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