Risk Exposure to Agents Causing Waterborne Diseases in the El Ahogado Basin, Mexico

The risk exposure to agents causing waterborne diseases (WBD), such as bacteria, parasites, and metals (Cr, Cd, Mn, and Pb) in a group of volunteers (n = 20) and an external group of three locations of the El Ahogado Basin, Mexico, is reported. A complete blood count (CBC) was made on the volunteers, and factor analysis was used for the CBC. Bacteria and parasitological agents were also monitored at the six sites of the El Ahogado Basin between 2008 and 2010. The measured blood concentrations of Cu, Mn, and Pb were 37.1, 4.6, and 7.1 µg/g, indicating the lowest exposure of volunteers to Mn and Pb and the highest exposure to Cu. The volunteer groups of the El Ahogado Basin are more exposed to agents causing WBD compared to the volunteers of the external group.