Evaluation of trihalomethanes and aluminum in drinking water in the northwest of Portugal
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abstract
Safe water for human consumption is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as water that does not cause a significant hazard to human health during its consumption. The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of trihalomethanes (THM) and aluminum in the drinking water of the District of Bragança, in order to understand the importance of periodicity these analyzes and the risks to the health of the populations that have been supplied by this water. The THM and aluminum in drinking waters, 233 and 230 samples respectively, were analyzed in Public Health Laboratory of Bragança, in northeast of Portugal between January 1996 and April 2005, according to the guidelines of European Directives of 1980 and 1998. The THM concentration was determined by gas-liquid chromatography and aluminum concentration was determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The THM were determined in 233 samples, of which only two showed a concentration greater than the Maximum Acceptable Value (MAV=150 µg/L), from reservoirs of the region of Moncorvo. This value represents a minority (0,9%), compared to the total number of analyzed samples. The determination of aluminum was performed in 230 samples, of which 11.3% exceeded the MAV=200 µg/L. The region of Mogadouro exhibited the major number of samples (n = 10) with concentrations above the MAV. Individuals that consumed this water with high levels of THM and aluminum in particular the individuals of the regions of Moncorvo and Mogadouro, may be associated with several potential health risks.
