Health Risk Estimate for Arsenic in Common Vehicles from a Geothermally Active Area

Abstract

Relatively high levels of arsenic were reported hair samples from residents of a village on a geothermally active mountain, site of a nearby geothermal project in August Concerned with the report, the Philippine Congress ordered a composite team of physicians, engineers and chemists from the Department of Health to investigate. The paper presents the initial results of investigation conducted. Various samples were collected from selected residents of the mountain villages of Sudsuhayan and Sayaban Ilomavis, Kidapawan, North Cotabato, Philippines. Samples were tested for arsenic. The results were used in calculating health risks for arsenic in common vehicles of contamination including water,:soil and farm products from the residents. Urine arsenic levels from these residents were correlated with the amount of risk to determine the most probable pathway of exposure. Based on the results, the most probable sources of contamination in decreasing order are residence soil, farm soil, solid food and drinking water. Recommendations on how to manage unidentifiable environmental health hazards and pathways were given.