Journal Article

Metals in the drinking water of First Nations across Canada

Marushka, Lesya, Chan, Hing Man, Ing, Amy, Tikhonov, Constantine, Fediuk, Karen, Batal, Malek, Sadik, Tonio, Schwartz, Harold

2021

Overview

Objectives The First Nations Food, Nutrition and Environment Study (FNFNES), a community-based participatory research project, measured the levels of metals of health concern and the levels of metals that have operational guidance (OG) and aesthetic objectives (AO) in drinking water of First Nations (FN) south of the 60 th parallel. Methods Both stagnant (first draw) and flushed tap water samples were collected from participating households in 91 FN representing 11 ecozones. The concentrations of metals were quantified and compared to Health Canada’s Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality (GCDWQ). Results In total, 1516 FN households participated in this study component. Exceedances of the 2019 GCDWQ for the health-based maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) were found for five metals: lead 8.4% of households (first draw), manganese 4.0%, uranium 1.6%, aluminum 1.3%, and copper 0.2% (flushed). Flushing taps resulted in a decrease to 0.7% of households exceeding the lead MAC. Exceedances of the current OG for aluminum were found in 14.2% and the exceedances of the proposed OG were found in 18.1% of households (flushed). Exceedances of the AO (flushed) were as follows: manganese 12.8%, sodium 5.1%, iron 3.5%, and copper 0.4%. Results of the study were compared to provincial surveys where the data were available. Taste and colour were reported to be the main reasons for limiting the use of tap water. Conclusion Overall, the quality of drinking water with respect to trace metals of human health concern is satisfactory. However, elevated lead levels were found in some FN communities. Until appropriate action can take place, it was recommended to flush the water before use to reduce the lead levels.

• Publisher: Springer International Publishing,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Aluminum / Canada / Community based action research / Community involvement / Community participation / Community research / Copper / Drinking water / Drinking Water - chemistry / Flushing / Health / Healthy food / Heavy metals / Households / Humans / Indigenous Canadians / Lead - analysis / Lead content / Lead poisoning / Manganese / Medicine / Medicine & Public Health / Metal concentrations / Metals / Metals - analysis / Native North Americans / Nutrition / Nutrition and Environment Study: Quantitative Research / Participatory research / Public Health / Research projects / Sodium / Special Issue on First Nations Food / Special Issue on First Nations Food, Nutrition and Environment Study: Quantitative Research / Trace metals / Uranium / Water analysis / Water quality / Water sampling / Water supply