ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Chemical Pollution Risks for Many Drinking
Water Sources in Baghdad City, Iraq
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1
College of Science, Al-Karkh University of Science, Hayfa Street, Baghdad 10001, Iraq
2
Industrial Property Department, Central Organization for Standardization and Control Quality, Ministry of Planning,
Al Jadryia St., Baghdad 10070, Iraq
Submission date: 2020-03-19
Final revision date: 2020-04-15
Acceptance date: 2020-04-18
Online publication date: 2020-09-28
Publication date: 2021-01-20
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2021;30(2):1203-1214
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ABSTRACT
To determine contamination levels of pollutants in all of Baghdad’s drinking water sources, all
samples were taken from different water sources which are used in research areas and examined by AAS,
pH, turbidity and TDS meters. The results indicate the mean concentrations of heavy elements (Cd, Co,
Pb, and Cr (except for the concentration of chromium in one site)) were within WHO permissible limit>
in the samples of drinking water were higher than the international limits. Mean concentrations of other
heavy elements (Cu, Fe, and Ni) in water samples were below WHO recommendations permitted limits.
The findings of the sample pH values were within the international acceptable limits. Turbidity values
for all samples were within the Iraqi and global limits except 4 sites that exceeded acceptable WHO
and Iraqi guideline limits. The levels of TDS in all samples were also lower than WHO except the
samples in two sites which show levels of TDS higher than the Iraqi and WHO limits. According to
the results above, all the drinking water projects in the Tigris River and water wells in Baghdad city
must be monitored, Adequate and new drinking water treatment methods shall also be used. The Heavy
Pollution Index (HPI) findings indicate that the drinking water sources in the city of Baghdad have been
substantially polluted with Cd, Co and Pb.