HEAVY METALS LEVELS IN SHALLOW GROUNDWATER OF RURAL AREAS: RISK ESTIMATED VIA WATER CONSUMPTION BY FARMER S FAMILIES

Risk assessment of heavy metals in shallow groundwater was done on a population categories of rural areas in Etay El-Baroud district, El-Behira governorate. Mn, Zn, and Fe were the highest detected metals in all villages. It s mean values were 0.17, 0.21, and 0.39 mg. I^-1, respectively. The mean concentrations of examined heavy metals exceeded the permissible limits for Fe, Mn, Pb, while were under these values for Zn, Cu, Cd, and Ni, Chronic daily intake (CDI) of the examined metals was estimated through two pathways. ΣCDI values of ingestion pathway were higher than those resulting from dermal absorption. Nitrates were the highest absorbed contaminant in ail ages especially in adults. Remarkable trends of ΣCDl at certain children age categories can reflect the habits and behaviour related to water contact either for drinking or other domestic purposes. Values of hazard quotient (HQ) were found to be agespecific with direct proportional relationship in both cases of exposure except at 12-18y in case of dermal absorption. NO3 reached the highest values 34.7 ansd 48.9 at 90^th percentil for 12-18y and adults. In contrast, Pb was recorded the lowest values at the two pathways especially at children age categories . HI values resulting from sum of both pathways of exceeding the level of concern or threshold value (HI; 1) indicating toxic effect induced for all age categories.