Health risk assessment of heavy metals and their source apportionment in drinking water of Kohistan region, northern Pakistan

The present study was conducted to investigate heavy metal (Cu, Co, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn and Cd) concentrations of drinking water (surface water and groundwater) samples in Kohistan region, northern Pakistan. Furthermore, the study aimed to ascertain potential health risk of heavy metal (HM) concentrations to local population. HM concentrations were analyzed by using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer (Perkin Elmer, AAS-PEA-700) and were compared with permissible limits set by Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak EPA) and World Health Organization (WHO). Based on HM concentrations the health risk assessment like chronic daily intake (CDI) and hazard quotient (HQ) was calculated. The values for CDI were found in the order of Zn > Cu > Mn > Pb > Cr > Ni > Cd > Co and the values of HQ were < 1 for all HM in drinking water samples indicating no health risk. Furthermore, multivariate statistical analysis like one-way ANOVA, inter-metal correlation, cluster analysis (CA) and principal component analysis (PCA) results revealed that geogenic and anthropogenic activities were major sources of water contamination in Kohistan region.