EF is the exposure frequency (day/year), ED is the
exposure duration (year), BW is the body weight (kg),
and AT is the average time (day).
The input parameters in ADD formulas are shown
in Table 2.
Risk characterization is the final step of health risk
assessment. The health risk from groundwater consumption
was assessed in relation to its chronic (noncarcinogenic)
as well as carcinogenic effects, based on
the calculation of ADD estimates and defined toxicity
values for each potentially toxic metal according to the
following relationships. The non-carcinogen risk was
calculated as the hazard quotient (HQ), as shown in