Krasnopyorova et al. 2025 — Trace elements in drinking water, Almaty, Kazakhstan
This study characterizes the trace element composition of drinking water in Almaty, Kazakhstan (78 samples, 24 elements) using ICP-MS, with seasonal sampling in 2023. Elements measured include As, Cd, Pb, Ni, U, Hg, Al, Cr, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu, among others. The study provides baseline concentration data for a Central Asian metropolitan area and compares measured values against WHO and Kazakh national drinking water standards.
Key numbers
n = 78 samples. 24 elements analyzed by ICP-MS. Seasonal sampling design (2023). Specific concentrations for As, Cd, Pb, Ni, U, and Hg are reported with comparisons to WHO drinking water guidelines (As: 10 µg/L; Pb: 10 µg/L; Cd: 3 µg/L; Ni: 20 µg/L). Most measured values were within WHO guideline ranges; the study provides the full concentration range and seasonal variation for Almaty municipal supply.
Methods (brief)
ICP-MS analysis. 78 samples collected from municipal tap water and bottled water in Almaty, 2023. Seasonal comparisons made. Compliance assessment against WHO 2017 drinking water quality guidelines and Kazakhstan national standards.
Implications
Certification: Drinking water heavy metal data supports supply-chain risk assessment for food manufacturers using municipal water in Kazakhstan and Central Asia. Courses: Illustrates the geographic variation in drinking water metal profiles and the importance of regional baseline data for exposure assessment. App: Drinking water As and Pb data are inputs to cumulative exposure models, particularly relevant for rice cooking (which concentrates dissolved As) and formula preparation from tap water.