Cent Eur J Public Health 2021, 29(4):265-270 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a6721

Private wells as potential sources of heavy metal exposure: a pilot study in northwest Slovakia

Miroslava Sovičová1, 2, Tibor Baška1, Stanislav Kuka1, Mária Tatarková1, Eliška Štefanová1, 2, Mária Marušiaková1, 2, Henrieta Hudečková1
1 Department of Public Health, Comenius University in Bratislava, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Martin, Slovak Republic
2 Regional Public Health Authority, Martin, Slovak Republic

Objectives: The aim of this study is to analyse levels of selected heavy metals: chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and lead (Pb), and to recognize factors related to wells' stewardship.

Methods: The pilot study was realized in May 2018 in three villages in northwest of Slovakia. We analysed 69 water samples from private wells. The data on wells and well owners were obtained by self-administered questionnaire. The samples were analysed by atomic absorption spectroscopy with graphite furnace GF AAS (AAS GBC XplorAA 5000 with GBC GF 5000) equipped with hollow cathode lamps. Levels of heavy metals were compared with parametric values for drinking water stated in the Resolution of the Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic No. 247/2017 Coll.

Results: The results indicated spatial variability in some heavy metal levels. Cadmium was not quantified in any sample. Copper and chromium levels were below the parametric value. Parametric values for manganese and lead were exceeded in 19 (27.5%) and 2 (2.9%) samples, respectively. Only 18 owners tested water quality. Busyness and financial cost most frequently discouraged users to carry out the water quality analysis.

Conclusions: The presence of heavy metals in well water can pose a serious public health problem, especially in rural areas without public water supply. Education on heavy metals' risks targeted at well owners could increase the awareness of the issue and minimize possible public health consequences.

Keywords: drinking water, exposure, heavy metals, private well stewardship, water, well

Received: January 20, 2021; Revised: October 28, 2021; Accepted: October 28, 2021; Published: December 31, 2021  Show citation

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Sovičová M, Baška T, Kuka S, Tatarková M, Štefanová E, Marušiaková M, Hudečková H. Private wells as potential sources of heavy metal exposure: a pilot study in northwest Slovakia. Cent Eur J Public Health. 2021;29(4):265-270. doi: 10.21101/cejph.a6721. PubMed PMID: 35026064.
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