Índice Relativo de Risco, ferramenta de tomada de decisão em bacias hidrográficas destinadas ao abastecimento público

Abstract

The quality of water resources is essential to health and to the environment. This study proposes a hydrochemical tool, which helps water managers in projects related to the use of water resources for human consumption. The Relative Risk Index, is based on detection of multi-elements dissolved in water and toxic and / or carcinogenic characteristics. This method helps actions and decisions on projects that focus management and sustainable use of water resources. The objectives are: (a) present the Relative Risk Index method, as hydrochemistry tool for prioritize hidrografic basins for public water supply; (b) calculate the Relative Risk Index for human ingestion; (c) calculate the cumulative and toxicological risk, using the Risk-Based Corrective Action program (RBCA, 2007); (d) compare both methods, Relative Risk Index and Risk-Based Corrective Action. The Relative Risk Index obtained, allow prioritize hidrografic basins with greater health risks caused by the ingestion of water with dissolved metals. The use of hidrochemical analysis, in specific multi-elements dissolved in water, represents a tool with significant results and low costs. Using the Relative Risk Index to prioritize hydrographic basins for human consumption, is a low cost decision that avoid, monitors and minimizes the health risk from exposure of a population, from the perspective that dissolved elements can affect the health of consumers.