FAST AND PRECISE MEASUREMENTS OF METALLIC CONTAMINANTS IN WATER USING INDUCTIVELY COUPLED PLASMA ATOMIC EMISSION SPECTROMETHY

摘要

Toxic metallic contaminants exist in drinking water as a result of natural geological activities but their levels increase considerably due to their amplified industrial use and subsequent discharge and incineration. Ingestion of these chemicals can cause either acute or chronic health effects such as nausea, lung irritation, skin rash, cancer, birth defects, organ damage, nervous system disorders and damage of the immune system. Lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury, in particular, have been found to be very toxic to humans, especially in cases of chronic exposure. Typically, lead gets into drinking water through the pipes or solder in domestic plumbing. The most common cause is corrosion, a reaction between water and the lead pipes or solder. The health effects of lead are most severe for infants and children, causing delays in physical or mental development. Lead can also harm adults, resulting in kidney problems or high blood pressure. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that 10-20% of human exposure to lead may come from lead-contaminated drinking water, whereas this number rises to 40-60% for infants who consume mostly mixed formula.