Cent Eur J Public Health 2000, 8(Supplement):S45-S46

The impacts of exposure to organic compounds occurrence of natural origin in thermal water on health in Békés, Hungary

Hassanien M.A., Dura G.

"Fodor József" National Centre of Public Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Budapest, Hungary

Deep thermal well (75 °C) in Bekes county, South East Hungary has been studied. The chemical measurements showed that the thermal water coming from deep geological layers (> 800 m) contains up to 117.2, 35.2, 30.2 and 26 µg/l of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes, respectively. The objectives of this study are: to measure these naturally occurring compounds; estimating to potential risk and hazard index for the population who are using this well mainly for swimming and health baths; assessing the relationship between exposure to environmental chemical and human health; and to stimulate thinking about possible broader uses of risk assessment in identifying and solving public health problems. This paper is not intended as a complete study concerning the four measured compounds. A particular emphasis on benzene which is highly toxic and carcinogenic has been paid. The exposure assessment of benzene based on Risk Assistant model was done. The results showed that the Hazard Quotient (H.Q.) for benzene is more than 1 (requiring actions) and the probability of getting cancer from this exposure is 8E-5 exhibiting high risk for exposed population.

Published: July 1, 2000  Show citation