Effect of industrial development on the health risk level caused by heavy metals in drinking water resources: A case study of Semnan province

Introduction: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of industrial development on the health risk level caused by drinking water's heavy metals with HRAEPA index in Semnan province (Iran). Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, sampling from 17 wells was perfumed at first. Then the samples immediately transported into laboratory and the heavy metals concentrations were measured with Standard methods 2008. Meantime, HRAEPA index was calculated with health risk assessment method. Results: Results showed that the levels of all heavy metals are at national, WHO and EU standard ranges. HRAEPA indexes was 4.48Í10-4, 4.36Í10-4 and 4.46Í10-4 for 2001-2011, 2012-2015 and 2015 period, respectively. Also, the highest and lowest HRAEPA index was for 2001-2011 and 2015, respectively. Conclusion:  The results showed that industrial development didn’t increase the level of health risk related to heavy metals. However, due to a significant progress of industrialization at Semnan province, water resources quality must be protected by law enforcement and tight supervision on industrial and mining - excavation activitie