Health risk assessment induced by chloroform content of the drinking water in Iran: systematic review

Long-term intake of water with high content trihalomehans (THMs) such as chloroform (CHCI3) is hazardous for human health. Some studies have shown that clinical effects of THs in drinking water may be yet observed to doses lower to standard limit. In our study, we performed a meta-analysis to assess both the mean concentration of CHC I-3 in Iranian drinking water and the relative health effects by long-term exposure to safe dose of CHCI3 in the male and female age groups and in female categories. We applied the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) for the evaluation of the noncarcinagenic risk of CHCI3. Meta-analysis (14 studies) showed that the average concentration of CHCI3 was 24 mu g/I (95%CI:18.1-30.1 mu g/I), I-2= 99.88, p < .001. Minimum and maximum concentrations of CHCI3 was related to Mashhad (3.5 +/- 0.5 mu g/I) and Mazandaran (57.3 +/- 13.111g/1) province, respectively. The average concentration of CHCI3 in the all studied provinces was lower than USEPA (70 p mu g/l) and national standard limits (200 mu g/l). The minimum and maximum THQ was related to <0.5 and 15-19years age groups in both the males and females. The rank order of THQ in the female categories Was females aging 15-44 (0.074)> non-pregnant and non -lactating females age 4-15 (0.071) > pregnant (0.071) > lactating (0.043). The THQ in the females was higher than males, non -significantly (P >.05). Except Mazandaran Province, in other provinces both males and females, for all age groups, were not exposed to significant risks by non -carcinogenic exposure of CHCI3 in drinking water (THQ < 1).