Iron and Manganese in Drinking Water: A Review of Sources, Types, Standards, Health and Environmental Effects and Removal Methods
Subject Areas : The Application of Chemistry in EnvironmentMohammad Safari 1 , Ahmad Asl hashemi 2 , Mehran Dolatkhah 3 , Gholamhossein Safari 4
1 - Faculty of Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Kerman Branch, Kerman, Iran
2 - Department of Environmental Health Education, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences
3 - Environmental Health Engineering Department,, Faculty of Health, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences
4 - Department of Environmental health engineering, Faculty of Health, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
Keywords: Iron and Manganese, Drinking Water, Health Effects, Secondary Standards, Aesthetic Problems,
Abstract :
Iron and manganese are common natural minerals that are primarily found in groundwater, especially in deeper wells. Iron and manganese in drinking water, at permissible levels, do not pose a risk to human health. Instead, they both have secondary or recommended drinking water standards because they lead to aesthetic problems that may make the water undesirable and unpleasant for drinking and other domestic uses. The presence of both often causes stains on clothes, and the loss of color in plumbing installations, as well as creates an unpleasant taste and appearance in drinking water. The iron and manganese in the water cannot be seen with the naked eye, and the water appears practically clear and unpolluted, but if they are mixed with oxygen, they quickly lead to the creation of orange, brown, or black spots. The black stains are caused by the presence of manganese, and the brown and orange stains are caused by the presence of iron in the water. Removal methods depend on the concentration and form of iron and manganese in the water. Therefore, it is important to carefully test the water and determine the type and amount of iron and manganese before treatment. Considering the importance of these elements in drinking water, the purpose of this review article is to investigate the sources, standards, types, health and environmental effects, and methods of removing or reducing iron and manganese in drinking water.