Evaluating Public Health Risks from Bottled Water Consumption in Erbil-Kurdistan: A Multivariate Assessment

Muzhda  Qader; Chiayi M.  Shareef; Dharmendra  Kumar; Sangar M.  Ahmed

doi:10.64048/hir.v1n3.002

Authors

Muzhda Qader Department of Public Health, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3561-7137
Chiayi M. Shareef Department of Environmental Science and Health, Salahaddin University–Erbil, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4065-7045
Dharmendra Kumar ICAR – Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India Author https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2784-9648
Sangar M. Ahmed Department of Public Health, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq Author https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2347-9870

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.64048/hir.v1n3.002

Keywords:

Bottled water, Water quality, Health risk assessment, Heavy metals, Hazard quotient, Trace metals, Drinking water quality

Abstract

Background and Aim Bottled water are widely consumed as a safer alternative to tap water; however, its quality may vary due to contamination with chemical pollutants and heavy metals. Ensuring compliance with World Health Organization (WHO) drinking-water standards is essential to safeguard public health in rapidly developing urban regions such as Erbil, Iraq. This study aimed to evaluate the physicochemical properties, heavy metal concentrations, and potential health risks associated with commonly available bottled water brands in Erbil.

Methods Five bottled water brands were analyzed for key physicochemical parameters (pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, turbidity, nitrate, fluoride, chloride, sulfate, and phosphate) and trace metals (lead, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury). The results were compared with WHO guideline values. Human health risks were assessed using the Hazard Quotient (HQ) and Hazard Index (HI) models for non-carcinogenic effects.

Results Most physicochemical parameters were within acceptable limits, except for nitrate (48–57 mg/L) and fluoride (1.4–1.6 mg/L), which slightly exceeded WHO recommendations in several brands. Mean concentrations of lead (9–12 µg/L), cadmium (2.8–3.2 µg/L), arsenic (9–11 µg/L), and mercury (0.9–1.3 µg/L) were detected. HQ values for lead, cadmium, and mercury were below 1, indicating minimal non-carcinogenic risk, whereas arsenic exceeded unity (HQ > 1), signifying potential health concern. The total HI ranged from 1.1 to 1.5, reflecting moderate cumulative exposure dominated by arsenic contribution.

Conclusion Although bottled water in Erbil generally meets WHO quality standards, slight exceedances of nitrate, fluoride, and arsenic were observed. The elevated arsenic-related HQ and HI values highlight the need for regular monitoring, improved quality control, and enforcement of regulatory standards to ensure safe bottled-water consumption and protect public health in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

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Author Biographies

Chiayi M. Shareef, Department of Environmental Science and Health, Salahaddin University–Erbil, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

Environmental Science and Health
Dharmendra Kumar, ICAR – Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India

ICAR- Central Potato Research Institute

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