Hazardous metals levels in groundwater from Gokana,Rivers State,Nigeria: Non-cancer and cancer health risk assessment

This study investigated heavy metals concentration in groundwater in six coastal communities in Gokana, Rivers State, namely, Gbe, K-Dere, B-Dere, Mogho, Kpor and Bodo City and the human health risk posed to the local populace via ingestion and dermal contact using non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risk assessment. The mean values of the heavy metals ranged between 0.02–0.86, 0.16–0.19, 0.03–0.10, 0.02–0.03 and 0.01–0.17 for Mn, Ni, Pb, Cd and Cr, respectively. The heavy metals were above the drinking water quality recommended limits in all the study sites. Estimations of average daily dose (ADD) and dermal absorbed dose (DAD) health risk indicates that Mn, Ni and Pb posed human health risk via ingestion contact pathway. However, hazard index (HI) values of Cd and Cr for ingestion pathway were >1.0 and the estimated Lifetime of Carcinogenic Risks (LTCR) for Ni, Cd and Cr exceeded the predicted lifetime risk for carcinogens of 10^?6 from ingestion pathway. Furthermore, there were more appreciable risk from Ni and Cr in the study sites as LTCR value in most sites were >10^?4_. This study indicates possible non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic human health hazard from groundwater consumption in Gokana via oral ingestion.     

A human health risk assessment of heavy metals in agricultural soils of Yanqi Basin,Silk Road Economic Belt,China

A total of 195 farmland soil samples were collected in Yanqi Basin, Xinjiang, northwest China, and the concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn were analyzed for their concentrations and pollution levels using the Nemerow comprehensive index. The health risk assessment model introduced by USEPA was utilized to evaluate the human health risks of heavy metals. Results indicated that the average concentrations of these seven metals were lower than the allowed soil environmental quality standards of China, while the average concentrations of Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn exceeded the background values of irrigation soils in Xinjiang. The average contamination factor (CF) for Pb indicated the heavy pollution, whereas the CF for Cd, Zn, Ni, Cu and Cr indicated the moderate pollution. The average PLI of heavy metals indicated the low pollution. The non-carcinogenic hazard index were below the threshold values, and the total carcinogenic risks due to As and Cr were within the acceptable range for both children and adults. As and Pb were the main non-carcinogenic factors, while As was the main carcinogenic factor in the study area. Special attentions should be paid to these priority control metals in order to target the lowest threats to human health.     

Human health risk assessment of toxic elements in fish species collected from the river Buriganga,Bangladesh

Abstract

Multielement (48) analysis was carried out of various fish species collected from river Buriganga, the most polluted river in Bangladesh to assess human health risk by toxic elements. Sixteen elements that is, Be, V, Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Mo, Cd, Ba, Hg, Pb, Bi, and U, were taken into account due to their toxicities on human health. Results show that concentrations of elements in various fish species were higher in winter than those in monsoon. Among 16 elements, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cd, Ba, Pb were above Food Safety Guideline in some fishes in winter. THQ and TTHQ/HI values were less than 1 for all fishes in monsoon while THQ and TTHW/HI values were more than 1 for most of fishes in winter. These results suggesting non-carcinogenic health hazard through consumption of contaminated fishes. Only As showed low cancer risk while no cancer risk was observed for other toxic elements in monsoon. In winter, Pb showed only moderate cancer risk for Mystus vittatus (site-7) while for other fishes low cancer risk was found by Pb. It can therefore be concluded that there is human health risk in consuming of fishes collected from river Buriganga especially in winter.     

Determination of Heavy Metals in Fish and Vegetables in Bangladesh and Health Implications

Concentrations of six heavy metals (chromium, nickel, copper, arsenic, cadmium, and lead) in fish and vegetables were estimated to evaluate contamination levels and health risks for Bangladeshi adults. The analyzed metals varied between different species of fish and vegetables. Metals like Ni, Cd, and Pb in fish species were higher than the respective maximum allowable concentrations (MAC), whereas As, Cd, and Pb in some species of vegetables exceeded the MAC. Health risks associated with these metal intakes were evaluated in terms of dietary intake and target hazard quotients (THQs). The THQ values for individual metals were below 1 (except As for some species), suggesting that people would not experience significant health hazards if they ingest a single metal from one species of fish and/or vegetable. However, total metal THQ (TTHQ) signifies the potential non-carcinogenic health hazard to the highly exposed consumers in Bangladesh. Also, the estimation showed that the carcinogenic risk (TR) of arsenic and lead were within the acceptable range for fish but exceeded the accepted risk level for vegetables. From the health point of view, this study showed that the inhabitants who consume contaminated fish and vegetables are exposed chronically to metal pollution with carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic consequences.     

Health Risks of Metals in Soil,Water, and Major Food Crops in Hamedan Province,Iran

Food, drinking water, soil, and air are the main routes of exposure to trace metals, thus the assessment of the risks posed to humans by these elements is important. Wheat, potatoes, and maize are very important parts of the Iranian diet. The objectives of this study were to estimate the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks of Hg, Pb, Cd, Cr, Se, As, and Ni to adults and children via soil, water, and major food crops consumed in Hamedan Province, northwest Iran, using the total non-cancer hazard quotient (THQ) and cancer risk assessment estimates. Total non-cancer hazard of Ni and Hg, were greater than 1, and total cancer risk of As and Pb was greater than 1 × 10^?6. Food consumption was identified as the major route of human exposure to metals, and consuming foodstuff threatens the health of the studied population. In Hamedan Province, consumption of wheat is the main source of intake of metals from foodstuff for adults, and in children, the soil ingestion route is also important.     

Health risk assessment of some heavy metals in urban community garden soils of Baghdad City,Iraq

The objective of this study is the evaluation of health risk of heavy metals in soils of urban community gardens of Baghdad City in Iraq. The soil samples were collected from 14 community gardens and analyzed for Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn. The non-carcinogenic hazard index (HI) and carcinogenic risk index (RI) were utilized to evaluate human health risk of heavy metals. The health hazard evaluation showed that there is no non-carcinogenic hazard in light of the fact that the HI values were beneath the threshold value (HI < 1). The HI for children and adults has a descending order of Cd < Cr < Cu < Ni < Pb < Zn. The carcinogenic RI values for Cd, Cr and Ni were over the unacceptable threshold value (RI < 1 × 10^?4), demonstrating that there is a serious carcinogenic risk for children and adults in the study area. The carcinogenic RI for children and adults has a descending order of Cr < Cd < Ni. These findings give environment administrators and leaders data on whether therapeutic activities are required to decrease exposure.     

Heavy metal contamination and health risks of indoor dust around Xinqiao Mining Area,Tongling, China

Abstract

In this study, the concentrations and health risks of heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Co, Cd, and Cr) in indoor dust are investigated in the vicinity of the Xinqiao mining area, Tongling, China. Results indicate that heavy metals except Co were clearly enriched in indoor dust. Especially Cd was extremely enriched, followed by Zn, Cu, and Pb. However, no significant regional differences (p?>?0.05) were found in other elemental contents aside from Cu. Statistical analysis revealed that metal elements except Co were presumed to originate primarily from mining activities. Health risk assessment indicated that the hazard quotients and hazard indices of all studied metal elements were less than 1 and thus posed no potential noncancer health risks to adults and children. Moreover, the cancer risks of Ni, Cr, Cd, and Co were within acceptable ranges, implying no cancer risk to local residents; however, the noncarcinogenic risk of Pb and the carcinogenic risk of Cr and Cd warrant close attention.     

Health risk assessment of heavy metals in groundwater of coal mining area: A case study in Dingji coal mine,Huainan coalfield,China

Heavy metals enrichment in groundwater poses great ecological risks to human beings. In the present research work, a total of 59 groundwater samples from 12 sampling points in Dingji coal mine, Huainan coalfield, were collected and measured for Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Ni, Mn, Cr, and Fe by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The human health risk caused by heavy metals through the pathway of drinking water was evaluated and analyzed using the US Environment Protection Agency (USEPA) evaluation model. It has been found that the carcinogenic risk values were between 1.05 × 10^?5 and 3.5 × 10^?4, all exceeding the maximum acceptable level recommended by the USEPA, and the carcinogenic risk of Cr accounted for 99.67% of the total carcinogenic risk. The non-carcinogenic health risk values were all lower than the negligible level given by the USEPA, and the contribution of non-carcinogenic health risk was in the order of Cr > Zn > Cu / Pb >Mn > Fe > Cd > Ni. Among them, Cr had the largest contribution, accounting for 36% of the total non-carcinogenic risk value. In this study, the carcinogenic risk constituted 99.99% of the total health risk, indicating that the total health risk essentially consisted of carcinogenic risk. The research results suggest that much more attention should be paid to the health risk caused by Cr in the groundwater.     

Evaluation of bioconcentration factors of metals and non-metals in crops and soil from abandoned mines in Korea

Hazard evaluation of different heavy metal exposure on the crops cultivated around two abandoned metal mine sites was conducted. Bioconcentration Factor (BCF) of nine heavy metals including Cu, Cd, Hg, As, Cr, Zn, Pb, Mn, and Al in the samples of brown rice cultivated at exposed soil were measured. Soil-plant BCF was measured and compared with Korean and US EPA standards. BCF values of analyzed heavy metals except Hg and As were below the limits. BCF of Hg was over 5 times higher than the standard limit. Excess cancer risk (ECR) and hazard quotient (HQ) values of As was higher than the limit and suggested to have carcinogenic as well as non-carcinogenic threat to the public exposed to the sites. The data presented could be utilized in prioritizing abandoned metal mine sites for health effect survey.     

Source identification and risk assessment of heavy metals in road dust of steel industrial city (Anshan), Liaoning,Northeast China

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to acquire the source and evaluate the risk posed by heavy metals in road dust of steel industrial city (Anshan), Liaoning, Northeast China. Potential ecological risk index (RI), pollution index (PI) and geo-accumulation index (Igeo) were applied to evaluate the heavy metal pollution level, and the carcinogenic risk (RI) and hazard index (HI) were calculated to estimate the human health risk. The geographic information system maps clearly reveal the hot spots of heavy metal spatial distribution. Principle component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) classified heavy metals into three groups. The metal Zn and Pb originate from the traffic emission, while Cd, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni and Sb primarily come from industrial activities. These two pathways were the major source of heavy metals pollution by positive matrix factorization (PMF). The Igeo and PI values of heavy metals were decreased in the following order: Cd?>?Sb?>?Zn?>?Fe?>?Pb?>?Cu?>?Cr?>?Sn?>?Mn?>?Ni. The RI index showed the heavy metals were moderate to very high potential ecological risk. The HI values for children and adults presented a decreasing order of Cr?>?Pb?>?Ni?>?Cu?>?Cd?>?Zn. The HI also predicted a possibility of non-carcinogenic risk for children living in urban areas in comparison with adults.     

Health Risks of Heavy Metals through Consumption of Greenhouse Vegetables Grown in Central Iran

Elevated heavy metal (HM) concentrations in vegetables may pose serious health risks to humans. There is limited information on health risks associated with HM contaminants in greenhouse vegetables. The objective of this study was to estimate the health risks of Pb, Cd, Ni, and Cr via consumption of greenhouse cucumbers and bell peppers produced in Iran using the total non-cancer hazard quotient (THQ) and cancer risk assessment estimates. Cadmium, Pb, Ni, and Cr concentrations in the vegetables varied from < 0.02 to 0.05, 0.19 to 0.64, 0.16 to 0.20 and 0.07 to 0.13 μg g^?1, respectively. Individual metal THQ values indicate the relative absence of non-cancer health effects associated with intake of a single metal through consumption of either cucumbers or bell peppers. The THQ for all population groups via consumption of greenhouse cucumbers and bell peppers was smaller than 1.0, which shows low possibility of any obvious risk. The result showed that Cd is the major risk contributor for the consumers. The cancer risk assessment for Pb for Qom adult populations groups via consumption of cucumbers and bell peppers was greater than 1 × 10^?6. High Pb and Cd concentration in the greenhouse vegetables is an important concern that has to be considered.     

Concentrations of Heavy Metals and Arsenic in Market Rice Grain and Their Potential Health Risks to the Population of Fuzhou,China

Heavy metals and As in rice are of increasing concern in China. In this study, concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cu, Cr, Sb, Ni, and As in rice collected from markets in Fuzhou, China, were investigated by ICP-MS and AFS, and their potential health risk to inhabitants were estimated by target hazard quotient (THQ), hazard index (HI), and target cancer risk (TR). The results showed that the concentrations of the seven studied elements in rice grain were all below the permissible limits of China's national standards for foodstuffs (NY/T 419–2007 and GB 2726–2012). For non-carcinogenic risk, the THQ values of individual elements were within the safe interval. However, without considering the bio-accessibility and speciation of toxic elements, the HI values suggest inhabitants in Fuzhou may experience potential health effects due to rice consumption. Cadmium is the major contributor to HI, followed by As. The TR values of As for adults and children were both higher than the acceptable range. The results of this study suggest that more attention should be paid toward monitoring toxic substances (especially Cd and As) in rice in order to assure the food safety for consumers in Fuzhou, China.     

Assessment of potentially toxic heavy metals and health risk in water,sediments, and different fish species of River Kabul,Pakistan

Contamination of freshwater bodies and consequently freshwater fish with toxic heavy metals is a serious environmental issue. The trophic transfer of potentially toxic heavy metals in the human food chains, especially in fish has important implications for human health. The present research study was designed to assess the concentrations of the heavy metals Cr, Ni, Cd, and Pb in the water, sediments, and different freshwater fish species of River Kabul, Pakistan. The heavy metals were quantified in the samples with Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Heavy metal contamination in fish muscles was characterized in terms of metal pollution index and biota-sediments accumulation factor, while human health risk was assessed through calculation of estimated weekly intake. The average concentrations of Cr, Ni, Cd, and Pb in muscle samples of the analyzed fish species at different sampling sites of the river ranged from 12.3 to 33.0, 33.2 to 109.2, 0.98 to 1.5, and 13.9 to 29.6 mg kg^?1 wet weight, respectively. Based on the current study data, consumption of the analyzed freshwater fish species from River Kabul was generally safe in terms of potential risk from Cd and Pb but the observed Ni accumulation may pose a potential health risk to regular/excessive fish consumers.     

Evaluation and Potential Health Hazard of Selected Metals in Water,Sediments, and Fish from the Gomti River

The health hazard associated with the consumption of fish from the Gomti River in India, contaminated with the heavy metals Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn was assessed in terms of target hazard quotients (THQs). The concentrations of metals (mg kg^?1, wet weight basis) in the muscle tissues of different fish species Mastacembelus puncalus, Clupisona garua, Cyrinous carpio, Botia lochachata, Channa punctatus, Heteropneustise fossilis, Puntius sofore, and Clarious batrachus ranged as follows: Cr (2.2–21.4), Cu (0.3–14.3), Mn (2.3–5.5), Ni (0.5–10.9), Pb (1.0–3.9), and Zn (12.3–46.9). The accumulation of metals in fish muscle tissue was in the order: Zn > Cr > Ni > Mn > Cu > Pb. THQs indicated a potential health hazard to children due to the consumption of fish contaminated with Ni and Pb; their THQs were greater than 1 for almost all fish species except for Ni in C. garua (THQ, 0.07) and C. carpio (THQ, 0.90). For adults, insignificant health hazard was associated with THQs less than 1 for all metals in the different fish species, but long-term exposure to these metals and subsequent bioaccumulation in the body may require additional investigation.     

Heavy Metal Phytotoxicity to Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) in a Digested Sludge-amended Gangetic Alluvium

A limiting factor in land application of sewage sludge is the resultant heavy metal accumulation in soils followed by biomagnification in the food chain, posing a potential hazard to animal and human health. In view of this fact, pot experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of digested sludge application to soil on phytotoxicity of heavy metals such as Cd, Cr, Ni, and Pb to radish (Raphanus sativus L.) plants. Increasing sludge levels resulted in increased levels of DTPA-extractable heavy metals in the soil. Cadmium was the dominant metal extracted by DTPA followed by Ni, Pb, and Cr. The extractability of metals by DTPA tended to decrease from the first to the second crop. Dry matter yield of radish increased significantly as a function of increasing sludge treatments. Soil application of sludge raised the concentration of one or more heavy metals in plants. Shoots contained higher concentrations of Cd, Cr, and Ni than the roots of radish plants. Shoot concentrations of Cd, Cr, Ni, and Pb were within the tolerance levels of this crop at all rates of sludge application. Shoot as well as root concentration of Cd was above 0.5 mg kg^?1, considered toxic for human and animal consumption. The levels of DTPA-extractable Cd and Ni were less correlated while those of Cr and Pb were more correlated with their respective shoot and root contents. The results emphasize that accumulation of potentially toxic heavy metals in soil and their build-up in vegetable crops should not be ignored when sludge is applied as an amendment to land.     

Drinking water quality and risk implications for community health: A case study of shallow water wells and boreholes in three major communities in Northern Cross-River,Southern Nigeria

The quality of water sources and its potential health implications to adults and children populations of respective major communities in Northern Cross-River was assessed. Water samples (n = 10/water source/site) were collected from three (Okpoma, Okuku and Ugaga) communities and heavy metal concentrations (Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Manganese (Mn), Nickel (Ni), Copper (Cu), Cobalt (Co), and Zinc (Zn)) were evaluated using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS). Overall, Pb, Cd, Ni, and Co were higher than drinking water guidelines, while only Cr, Mn, Cu, and Zn were within the permissible limits. The estimated average daily intake (EADI) and target hazard quotient (THQ) were used to determine risk implications for adult and children consumer populations. The EADI for Pb in adults for borehole water, Pb and Cr by child consumer population for borehole and shallow well water exceeded the reference dose (RfD) by USEPA. The THQ for adult population were >1 for Pb in borehole water and >1 for Pb and Cr across all sites for the child consumer population. Overall, our findings indicate toxicity and higher hazard risk for both adult (Pb) and children (Pb and Cr) populations that source drinking water from borehole and shallow well water in these communities.     

Metals and metalloids in a first order stream of the Atlantic rainforest: abiotic matrices,bioaccumulation in fishes and human health risk assessment

Background and aimMetals and metalloids have been found in several streams and rivers from the Atlantic Rainforest (ARF), one of the world´s leading biodiversity hotspot, which may represent a risk for environmental and human health. The aims of this study were: 1) to evaluate the accumulation and distribution of 24 trace elements in water, sediments and fish tissues (muscle and gills) of sixteen species from the Atlantic Rainforest, 2) to explore bioaccumulation patterns in fish tissues and abiotic matrices, and 3) to assess the impact of metal and metalloids on the human health from water and fish consumption.MethodsWater, sediments and fish samples were collected from Ramos Stream (Misiones Province, Argentina). The concentrations of Ag, Al, As, Ba, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Ga, Hg, Li, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, Sr, Ti, U, V and Zn were determined by Quadrupole Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. Bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) were used to evaluate bioaccumulation of metals and metalloids in relation to water and sediment. The Hazard Quotient (HQ), Hazard Index (HI) and Target Hazard Quotient (THQ, general and fisherman populations) were calculated to assess the non-carcinogenic human health risk from water and fish consumption.ResultsThe concentrations of several elements in water and sediment were higher than the international guidelines for aquatic biota protection. Levels of As, Pb and Zn in muscle and gills were above national and international guidelines for human consumption. The bioaccumulation factors ranged from 749 to 13,029 being higher in gills than in muscle. The HQ and HI ranged from 0.001 to 0.015. The THQ for each element and total THQ values were lower than 0.1.ConclusionBioaccumulation factor suggests that several species have a moderate capacity to incorporate some metals and metalloids from the abiotic matrices. According to the HI and THQ values found, there is no risk to human health from consumption of water and fish.     

Arsenic and heavy metals health risk assessment through drinking water consumption in the Peshawar District,Pakistan

This study aimed to assess the drinking water quality and human potential health risk in Peshawar, which is the most populous district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan. Water was randomly collected throughout Peshawar District (urban = 45 samples and rural = 29 samples). These samples were analyzed for heavy metal (As, Cd, Co, Cu, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn) concentrations using the atomic absorption spectrometer (Perkin Elmer, AAS-PEA-700). Heavy metal concentrations in drinking water revealed the highest pollution index (PI) values—17.80, 11.92, 7.50, and 5.70 for the Pb, Cr, Cd, and Ni, respectively. The contaminations of Cd and Pb were significantly higher (p < .05) than their maximum allowable limits set by the World Health Organization. Heavy metal contaminations in drinking water were evaluated for health risk assessment: the chronic risk or hazard quotient (HQ) and cancer risk. Results revealed that HQ values were >1 for the Cd and Pb, suggesting that the exposed human beings could be at chronic risk. Therefore, serious measures such as drinking water treatments and contamination controlling policies are needed to avoid the hazardous effects of toxic heavy metals.     

Potential health risk of heavy metals via consumption of rice and vegetables grown in the industrial areas of Bangladesh

Abstract

Heavy metals are toxic in nature, and their contamination in foodstuff is a matter of concern for human health. The present study was conducted to assess the concentrations of chromium, nickel, copper, arsenic, cadmium, and lead in rice and vegetables and their possible human health risks in Tangail district, Bangladesh. Metals were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) after microwave digestion system. The average values of Cr, Ni, Cu, As, Cd, and Pb in rice and vegetables were 16.26, 16.11, 13.99, 2.28, 1.86, and 7.93?mg/kg, respectively. The average metal concentration in rice and vegetable species was in the decreasing order of okra?>?chili?>?bitter gourd?>?papaya?>?brinjal?>?bean?>?bottle gourd?>?rice?>?cucumber?>?sponge gourd?>?Indian spinach. The estimated daily intake (EDI) values of all the metals except Cu were higher than the maximum tolerable daily intake (MTDI). The target hazard quotients (THQs) values of Ni, Cu, As, Cd, and Pb exceeded the threshold value of 1 through consumption of rice and vegetables, indicating significant health risks to both adult and children. The target carcinogenic risk (TR) of As and Pb through consumption of rice and vegetables was higher than the USEPA threshold level (10^?4). From the health point of view, this study clearly revealed that consumption of these contaminated rice and vegetables definitely poses carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks.     

Spatial distribution,contamination levels,sources, and potential health risk assessment of trace elements in street dusts of Urumqi city,NW China

Abstract

A total of 83 dust samples were collected from the streets of Urumqi city in NW China and analyzed for the concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn elements. The spatial distribution, contamination levels, main sources, and potential health risks of these trace elements were determined based on geostatistical analysis, geo-accumulation index, multivariate analysis, and the health risk assessment model introduced by the USEPA, respectively. The obtained results indicate that the average concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn exceed the corresponding background values determined in Xinjiang soils by factors of 2.0, 1.35, 1.38, 8.24, 1.28, 2.09, and 3.26, respectively. The spatial distribution patterns of the nine trace elements in street dust were found to be substantially heterogeneous, and the contamination level decreased in the following order: Hg?>?Zn?>?Pb?>?Cd?>?Cr?>?Cu?>?As?>?Ni?>?Mn. Based on the identified concentrations, the collected dust samples were found to be moderately polluted by Hg, and not polluted by As, Cr, Cu, Mn, and Ni. The remaining elements, Cd, Pb, and Zn lie on the borderline between non-pollution and moderate pollution levels. Furthermore, it was shown that Mn and Zn in street dusts originate from both, natural and anthropogenic sources, while As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, and Pb are mainly produced by anthropogenic sources. Overall, the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks of the analyzed elements, instigated primarily by oral ingestion of street dusts, were found to be within the acceptable range for both, children and adults. As and Cr are the main non-carcinogenic elements, whereas Cr is the major carcinogenic element among the investigated dust-bound metals in the study area.