Human Health Risk Assessment Arsenic in Drinking Water, Dover Air Force Base, Delaware (AMC)

摘要

A human health risk assessment (HHRA) of arsenic was completed for Dover AFB. The purpose of this assessment is to quantify risks to military personnel and their families living on Dover AFB ingesting base supplied water with elevated levels of arsenic. The base drinking water system is supplied by ground water that contains arsenic. The level of arsenic has always been below the SDWA standard. Sample data were analyzed for potential health effects to the exposed population. Sample results were statistically reviewed and risk estimates were calculated. This health risk assessment evaluated both cancer and non-cancer end points. Non-cancer effects are considered negligible. Some of the risk values are above the acceptable range considered safe by the USEPA. These risk estimates are based on very conservative estimates of exposure and toxicity and are likely to overestimate the actual risk. If we focus on the arsenic level within distribution system (tap water) for RME consuming 2 liters per day for an adult and 1 liter per day for a child, the risks fall slightly above the 'de minimis' risk level of l.OE-O6. The drinking water is considered safe as legally defined as 'acceptable risk' because the system meets compliance with the SDWA.