Abstract

Today, crop pesticides are increasingly used to protect crops against pests. These pesticides can infiltrate to water resources via agricultural runoff and accordingly impose serious health risks to human health. This study was designed to ascertain the contamination levels of water resources in Sistan plain (south-east of Iran) in terms of Diazinon and its health risk assessment for two groups of ages: adults and children. To this end, a total of 70 water samples from different water sources (of which 35 samples were taken in spring and 35 ones in summer) were analytically analysed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Based on the results presented here, the mean concentration levels of Diazinon in all water resources were found to be lower than the maximum permissible level recommended by the guidelines for Canadian drinking water quality (GCDWQ). In addition, the probable non-carcinogenic risk attributed to Diazinon through the water consumption for both children and adults groups was lower than the recommended value (HQ = 1). Therefore, the quality of water in Sistan plain is safe for drinking. However, control measurements and continuous monitoring are suggested for sources with high levels of Diazinon concentration in order to promote the health levels of residents live in Sistan plain. © 2020, © 2020 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.