Naslov
Chlorinated solvents and microbiological quality of fammily drinking water wells in Zagreb area

Autori
Marijanović Rajčić, Marija ; Vitale, Ksenija

Izvornik
Periodicum biologorum (0031-5362) 105 (2003), 1; 29-36

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
organic solvents; microbiological indicators; public health

Sažetak
Abstract Background and purpose: About 10% of inhabitants of Zagreb are not connected to the public water supply. Study aims to assess the quality of the water from private wells, their microbial and organic solvents contamination, and to estimate citizens' exposure to these pollutants from the water they drink. Materials and methods: Drinking water samples were taken from 6 private wells from different parts of town, and wastewater samples from 5 factories in the vicinity. The presence of carbon tetrachloride, 1, 1, 1-trichloroethane, trichloroethene and tetrachloroethene, was determined by gas chromatography. Also four microbiological parameters, total coliforms, thermotolerant coliforms, faecal streptococci, and heterotrophic plate counts were determined using standard methods Results: All examined samples contained at least one of the analyzed solvents. Carbon tetrachloride was not detected. Values for 1, 1, 1-trichloroethane ranged from 4.18-5.8 μ g/L ; trichloroethene 0.24-0.36 μ g/L and tetrachloroethene 0.33-2.9 μ g/L. None of the levels were above maximal allowed values for drinking water according to the Croatian standards, US standards and the values recommended by WHO. Out of 5 industrial samples only one exceeded maximal allowed level of chlorinated hydrocarbons. Results of microbiological indicators showed that only one sample was not contaminated. Contamination was of the same level in both dry and wet season. Conclusion: Examined wells are exposed to the microbial contamination, and they contain chlorinated hydrocarbons although not exceeding allowed values. Question remains what is the health risk of prolonged exposure to low doses knowing that various interactions with other chemicals and environmental factors may lead to unexpected toxicity.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Javno zdravstvo i zdravstvena zaštita

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