Nitrate pollution in northeastern Saudi Arabian groundwater: A multi-age group health risk assessment

UDC: 
614.7
DOI: 
10.21668/health.risk/2026.1.03.eng
Authors: 

А. Mamun

Organization: 

University of Hafr Al Batin, CHDC8147, Al Jamiah, Hafr Al Batin, 39524, Saudi Arabia

Abstract: 

The relevance of the study comes from well-known facts that high-dose repeated daily administration of nitrates can induce methemoglobinemia, create elevated cancer risks, lead to endocrine diseases, cardiovascular diseases, diseases of the digestive system, negative pregnancy outcomes, and elevated formation of nitrosamines. This study investigates nitrate pollution in groundwater and its associated health risks across different age groups in northeastern Saudi Arabia.

The nitrate concentrations were measured in various well types, including commercial water stations, untreated commercial stations, private domestic wells, and agricultural wells.

No detectable pollution was established in 65 % of the examined wells while 18 % exhibited high levels of pollution. The highest nitrate concentrations were found in the agricultural and gardening wells, ranging from 80 to 250 mg/L, surpassing the 50 mg/L acceptable threshold. Chronic daily intake (CDI) values ranged from 0.4 to 24.3 mg/kg/day across all age groups (the safe level being 1.6 mg/kg/day). Chronic daily intake was 15 times higher than recommended safe levels for infants and up to 12 times higher for children. Hazard quotient (HQ) assessments further emphasized the unacceptable health risks, particularly for younger populations. Specifically, 55.55 % of the samples posed potential non-cancer health concerns for infants.

The findings underscore the critical need for improved water management in northeastern Saudi Arabia and greater public health awareness in the region.

Keywords: 
Nitrate pollution index; drinking water; water supply sources; groundwater pollution index; health risk; hazard quotient; age group; Saudi Arabia
Mamun A. Nitrate pollution in northeastern Saudi Arabian groundwater: a multi-age group health risk assessment. Health Risk Analysis, 2026, no. 1, pp. 30–42. DOI: 10.21668/health.risk/2026.1.03.eng
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Received: 
06.06.2025
Approved: 
07.11.2025
Accepted for publication: 
26.03.2026

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