Risk Assessment among the Residents of Kampung Kuala Pansoon, Hulu Langat on Nitrate Intake of Gravity Feed System (GFS)

Abstract

The objective research to determine the level of nitrate in the gravity feed system and carry out a health risk assessment of nitrate ex- posure among the residents of Kampung Kuala Pansoon, Hulu Langat, Selangor. Set of questionnaires was administered to 95 respondents in Kampung Kualan Pansoon. The nitrate level in the Gravity Feed System was measured using a HI98191 Professional Waterproof Portable pH/ORP/ISE Meter with an at- tached Ion Selective Nitrate Combination Electrode (ISE) HI4113. The Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) was calculated, and the major differences in exposure and overall likelihood of non-carcinogenic health impacts posed by nitrate in drinking water were addressed by using Hazard Quotient (HQ). The mean nitrate concentration obtained was 7.22 mg/L ± 4.97 (SD), which did not exceed the maximum allowed nitrate concentration in drinking water (10 mg/L). However, seven samples of drinking water exceeded the standard level, while 73.1% of the houses' nitrate concentration was at a safe level. The findings of this study indicate that the Gravity Feed System is generally providing safe drinking water to the community of Kampung Kuala Pansoon. While some individual samples exceeded the nitrate standard, the overall mean concentration was within the acceptable range, and the majority of households had safe nitrate levels. Nevertheless, the presence of nitrate levels above the standard in some samples warrants continued monitoring of the Gravity Feed System. Further investigation is recommended to identify potential sources of nitrate contamination and implement targeted mitigation strate gies.