Health risk associated with nitrate exposure in groundwater among residents of Gong Manak village in Pasir Puteh Kelantan

IBRAHIM, MUHAMMAD AFIQ ZHARFAN (2020) Health risk associated with nitrate exposure in groundwater among residents of Gong Manak village in Pasir Puteh Kelantan. [Project Paper] (Submitted)

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Abstract

Introduction: The agriculture sector in Malaysia is growing faster every year, resulting in high usage of fertilizer which brings about the increase in the contamination of groundwater. Groundwater is commonly used in rural water supply systems where high nitrate levels in drinking water may cause birth defects and cancers. In order to determine the health status of the population, health risk analysis can be done to determine the level of exposure. Objective: To determine the association between health risk and nitrate exposure in groundwater among residents of Gong Manak Village in Pasir Puteh district, Kelantan. Methodology: Water samples from pre-determined wells were collected and then analysed using a multi-meter with an attached nitrate electrode. Questionnaires were used to collect information including age and depth of wells. Distance between wells and source of nitrate was calculated using coordinates from global positioning system (GPS). Results: A total of 60 respondents were recruited with the same number of wells chosen for this study. Mean nitrate level was 3.68 ± SD 2.60 mg/L, with a range of 0.32 mg/L to 8.99 mg/L. Both age (years) and depth (meter) of wells studied had no significant association with nitrate levels (p>0.05). However, there was a significant association between distance (meter) from nitrate source and nitrate levels (p < 0.05) with a correlation coefficient of r = -0.487. The Hazard Quotient (HQ) was less than 1 (HQ < 1) for all respondents. This indicated there is no risk from nitrate exposure to the respondents. Conclusion: Respondents were exposed to low levels of nitrate in groundwater, and the health risk was negligible. Keywords: Nitrate, Groundwater, Health risk, Association

Item Type:	Project Paper
Faculty:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Science
Depositing User:	Mr Hafizzuddin Hamidon
Date Deposited:	24 Aug 2023 04:55
Last Modified:	24 Aug 2023 04:55
URI:	http://psaspb.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/883

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